Gun Atk: -- Man Rtng: 2.5/2.0 Size/Signature: Small/Stealthy In Service: 2008 Counterm: 4 th Gen J&D Bombsight: Advanced Sensors: SAR attack radar (not search sensor), 3 rd Gen ESM Performance: Speed in Knots Throttle Setting Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat V/Low: 490 (2.0) 650 (2.7) — Med: 490 (2.0) 685 (2.9) — High: 490 (2.0) 720 (3.0) — Ceiling: 12192 meters Engine Type: TF Endurance Data Inflight Refuel: Y/B Cruise Range: 1992 nm Int Fuel: 2450 kg Drop Tank Desc Fuel Wt Range Add 300 USG 927 kg 754 nm Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 1633 kg Off Guns: None 2 external 300 USG drop tanks for ferry missions (Small RCS) 12 SDB (see below) 2 GBU-32/35/38 JDAM Remarks These are Preliminary stats for the USAF A-45 UCAV (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle), supervised by an operator at a remote ground station. It operates in groups of four, using ESM to locate SAM sites and SAR attack radar to determine target coordinates. Weapon release requires operator consent. The operator flies the UCAV by choosing waypoints which the UCAV follows automatically. Takeoff, landing and most flight operations are automatic. It is planned to carried by C-17 or C-5 to the war zone, assembled and ready to fly in an hour. There are two internal weapons bays. It might also carry ADM-141 MALD. Strike missions from 2008 (no sensors), with SEAD from 2010 (with radar and ESM). Possibly to be fitted with directional offensive jammer in one weapons bay (90° arc, reduce radar ranges within radar horizon by 25%). SDB. “Small Diameter Bomb”, I/GPS, 2-8 nm, 528 kts, 114 kg, 23 or 68 kg warhead, 5 DP, AP bomb. BT Back to The Naval Sitrep # 24 Table of Contents Back to Naval Sitrep List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2003 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history and related articles are available at http://www.magweb.com