Northrop selected for UCAS-D.

Northrop Grumman has been selected in preference to Boeing to provide the Navy Unmanned Combat Air Systems Technical Demonstration. This $635.8 million Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract will launch a technical effort to demonstrate the aircraft carrier suitability of an autonomous low-observable unmanned air vehicle, as well as demonstrate critical aircraft carrier suitability technologies in a relevant environment. Specifically, the effort, which is scheduled to conclude in 2013, will involve shipboard operation, including catapult takeoffs, arrested landings and flight in the immediate vicinity of an aircraft carrier. The air vehicle will not carry weapons. "This specific contract is for technology development and demonstration and will not be an operational system," explains Navy Capt. Rich Brasel, programme manager for NAVAIR's technology demonstration effort. "But through it, we will develop knowledge, skills and technologies specific to operating an autonomous low-observable unmanned air vehicle in an air craft carrier environment. This is a critical step in efforts to develop future Naval Aviation combat capabilities." Specific products of the effort, referred to as "UCAS-D," are expected to include flight test data, test reports, trade studies, simulation, and detailed engineering analyses to enable future developmental efforts, according to Brasel. The contractor-provided system will comprise two unmanned, low-observable air vehicles, two mission control segments, and a support segment. The system will be capable of autonomous launch, recovery and operations in the Carrier Control Area. Flight testing is scheduled to begin in late 2009.

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