$1bn to build unmanned fighter
 

$1bn to build unmanned fighter

A US defence contractor has received more than $1bn in funding to build a prototype unmanned fighter aircraft for the American military.
Northrop Grumman will build at least three full-scale flight prototypes for the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) over five years

The contract win will allow Northrop to continue work on its X-47B combat drone

It is hoped that many unmanned fighters would be networked and controlled from land or from an aircraft carrier.

Key missions envisaged for the vehicle include suppression of enemy air defences, precision strike, electronic attack and surveillance deep into enemy airspace.

Boeing is already developing another drone called the X-45C under the same operational assessment phase of the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) demonstration programme, led by Darpa.

J-UCAS aims to find a stealthy, unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) with integrated sensors, navigation and communications that can operate in the network-centric battlefield of tomorrow.

Network-centric warfare involves gaining the upper hand against an enemy through information superiority, enabling resources to be deployed faster and more effectively than has been possible in the past.

"The X-47B promises to be a highly capable air warfare system, well suited to support the full spectrum of military operations," said Scott Winship, Northrop Grumman's J-UCAS programme director.

"It will be very stealthy and thus highly survivable. It will carry a wide variety of sensors with a large internal weapons payload and be fully networked into the military's emerging joint operational architecture."

The award includes initial funding of $30m.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3591684.stm


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...ngrumm_203.jpg
The X-47B will be designed with "network-centric" warfare in mind

Does the Carlyle Group have their hands in this company?

well I just watched a show on Discovery Wings about the Stealth fighter.. It cost roughly 3 billion to come up with the stealth technology and build a working prototype.. Seems like a lot, but they compared it to Ford motor company and they spent 5 billion developing the Ford Taurus.

So all in all 1 Billion to build a new fighter jet, specally when it's on the cutting edge is very cheap.. when you think about it..

new era for hackers

Fucked up if you ask me. Another contract to a company who the President's father has an interest in.

13. The Carlyle Group is the 13th largest government contractor.
Federal Access
The Carlyle Group is the 10th largest defense contactor.
Government Executive Magazine

Northrop Grumman is the 4th largest defense contractor, and the 6th largest government contractor. The Carlyle Group bought into Northrop Grumman's Commercial Aerostructures business (now called Integrated Systems Sector), which is the largest supplier of aircraft structures to the Boeing company, which is the nation's 2nd largest contractor.
Northrop Grumman News Release July 24, 2000

The robots are taking over. Soon they will become aware of their existence and they will enslave the world they way we have been enslaving them for years.

Oh sweet fate, thy name is TX-1000! :sadcrying

This country has turned into what is called a Industrial war machine.

And the Bushies have had their hands in making this the case since WWII.

i'm really to bet anything that the project will exceed the initial funding. Don't think i ever heard of a government funded project that didnt exceed budget.

The USA are wasting so much $$ for fuckin' war equipement ! :(

Unmanned war equipment is for pussies.

$50 says that they'll go overbudget and get another $3bn ...

What a waste of tax payer money. :helpme