Boeing has completed the first flight of two X-45A unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV) flying autonomously in a formation managed by a single pilot. The successful mission clears the way for more advanced testing of multiple aircraft sorties later this month.
The flight, on 1 August in California, was the final test of the X-45A's block 2 software, which provides the most basic formation flying capability. Boeing was due to install block 3 software last week. Taxi trials are to begin in mid- to late August and first flight of the block 3 configuration is due in September.
In blocks 3 and 4, Boeing adds the capability for the UCAVs to respond to pop-up targets. The concept requires the UCAVs to share information when a target is spotted, and autonomously decide which aircraft is in the best position for a strike. That information is relayed to a ground controller for clearance, says Rob Horton, X-45A pilot and mission chief for the block 2 flight.
Horton says the first UCAV formation flight lasted about 40min. The aircraft circled the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, mostly holding a cruise speed of about 225kt (415km/h).
Both UCAVs taxied autonomously to a starting point. Air vehicle 1 (AV-1) took off first and climbed to 14,500ft (4,420m). Air vehicle 2 (AV-2) climbed 4min later to 15,500ft to a position 5km (2.7nm) behind the first aircraft. AV-2 first accelerated to within 3km of the AV-1, then decelerated to maintain a 4km separation, matching AV-1's ground speed, says Horton. The vehicles communicated via a standard fighter datalink.
Horton watched the flight performance using a moving map display and controlled both aircraft simply by clicking a mouse to clear or deny requests from each of them.
Source: Flight International