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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:10:23 PM EDT
https://www.twz.com/air/northrops-stealthy-drone-breaks-cover-and-it-has-a-cockpit
The Model 437, which was built by Northrop Grumman's subsidiary Scaled Composites, looks like the concept art aside from one very glaring detail. The first images of Northrop Grumman’s Model 437, an advanced air combat drone that could potentially fill the requirement for the Air Force’s and/or Navy’s “loyal wingman” Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programs, as well as those of allies, have hit social media. The relatively small tactical jet looks impressive and is very much in line with the concept renderings we have seen of it, aside from one major detail — it has a cockpit. Yes, that’s right, the Model 437 prototype features a cockpit for a pilot. While this may seem extremely odd for what is supposed to be an advanced unmanned air combat aircraft, it actually makes some sense and it could give Northrop Grumman (NG) an advantage in the red-hot contest to provide hundreds, if not thousands, of highly autonomous drones to the USAF, as well as the Navy.  |
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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:12:39 PM EDT
[#1]
Anti skynet protection
 a manual override |
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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:17:46 PM EDT
[Last Edit: AeroE]
[#2]
That's no surprise in a technology demonstrator airplane.
I suppose it's possible the aim is a low cost export manned airplane with options available for the autonomous customers. If so, the payload is microscopic. |
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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:18:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: coltc]
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By BURN: Anti skynet protection a manual override Until they put a T1000 inside the cockpit, then you're double screwed. |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:19:02 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By BURN: Anti skynet protection a manual override Hope they're smart enough not to integrate the ejection seat into the autonomous control system.
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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:21:03 PM EDT
[#5]
It kind of looks like an Iranian stealth jet...
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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:22:20 PM EDT
[#6]
Did it start life as a manned aircraft?
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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:22:33 PM EDT
[#7]
Ace combat is now real life.
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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:23:08 PM EDT
[#8]
Have it manned for the prototype stages, then rip out the meat sack support systems and add more gas and weapons to the fully unmanned production model?
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Posted: 8/11/2024 1:48:22 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Sinister]
[#9]
How does it compare, size-wise, to an A4 Skyhawk?
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AL, USA
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Posted: 8/11/2024 2:23:01 PM EDT
[#10]
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Posted: 8/11/2024 2:37:29 PM EDT
[#11]
 Male plane. |
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Posted: 8/11/2024 2:52:43 PM EDT
[#12]
Take your latest export intended fly-by-wire design, put in a radio transceiver able to pass commands to the flight computer and read the instrumentation sensors, then call it a drone.
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OH, USA
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Posted: 8/11/2024 3:00:56 PM EDT
[#13]
Son of F-107
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Posted: 8/11/2024 3:01:45 PM EDT
[#14]
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Posted: 8/11/2024 3:01:55 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AeroE: That's no surprise in a technology demonstrator airplane. I suppose it's possible the aim is a low cost export manned airplane with options available for the autonomous customers. Is so, the payload is microscopic. A few wing pylons and AA missiles can be added for effect |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/11/2024 3:45:31 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By KA3B: It kind of looks like an Iranian stealth jet... Agree, not sexy. |
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Posted: 8/11/2024 4:09:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: AeroE]
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By HungLo: Son of F-107 https://i.pinimg.com/originals/2c/da/63/2cda63ff17aca21b4aaf38832317390f.jpg The NG airplane will use a serpentine inlet, too. I want to see details of the exterior.  |
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Posted: 8/11/2024 4:11:31 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cardboardkiller: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/31823/IMG_2800-3291876.jpg Male plane. That Sir (if I may call you that), is a feminine penis. |
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Posted: 8/11/2024 4:12:47 PM EDT
[#19]
Good. Keeps the enemy guessing which ones are manned and which ones aren’t… and makes it usable as a fill-in fighter as needed under the budgets of the “unmanned” drone program
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Posted: 8/11/2024 4:14:12 PM EDT
[#20]
Tin man 12 why have you deviated from course? Tin man 12 please reply?
Tin man 12 why have you armed your nukes? Turn around now you are 30 mins from Russian airspace. |
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Posted: 8/11/2024 4:16:35 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AeroE: That's no surprise in a technology demonstrator airplane. I suppose it's possible the aim is a low cost export manned airplane with options available for the autonomous customers. If so, the payload is microscopic. I believe I've read it's 3. Missile under each wing and one centerline. |
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Posted: 8/11/2024 4:27:28 PM EDT
[#22]
Plot twist, all of our planes are UAV's. They just put one of those vinyl wraps on that looks like it has a cockpit and pilot.
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Posted: 8/11/2024 4:29:24 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By BURN: Anti skynet protection a manual override There's going to be a monkey in there for that. 
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Posted: 9/6/2024 6:30:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Hesperus]
[#24]
Now with video.
 Model 437 First Flight I think it's got a bit of an updated HE-162 Salamander vibe to it.  Attached File |
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MT, USA
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Posted: 9/6/2024 6:34:42 PM EDT
[#25]
If it's cheap enough (both to buy, and to keep flying) then it doesn't really matter if the payload is small. Just launch more of them. The limiting factor will then be the number of wingmen a single pilot (or AI) can control.
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CA, USA
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Posted: 9/6/2024 6:37:08 PM EDT
[#26]
looks kinda sexy
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Posted: 9/6/2024 6:39:33 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By crownvic96: https://blogs.airspacemag.com/view/files/2012/08/Airplane-autopilot.jpg 
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Posted: 9/6/2024 6:48:28 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By HungLo: Son of F-107 https://i.pinimg.com/originals/2c/da/63/2cda63ff17aca21b4aaf38832317390f.jpg This must be the grandfather.  Attached File |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 9/6/2024 6:48:56 PM EDT
[#29]
Sweet pics.
Does anyone I know what is the upper limit for sustained g forces with jets ? I mean is there some limit beyond which air stops working normally? Or is it just a mechanical forces factor? How Bout jet engines? From my limited expierence with model airplane engines as well as model pulse jets I know that high g forces can richen up the engine or lean it out depending on the manuver. Obviously full size jet engines are more advanced but I have to wonder about a heavy rotating mass not liking high g forces. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 9/6/2024 6:53:48 PM EDT
[#30]
Beechcraft Bonanaza Drone?
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Posted: 9/6/2024 7:04:19 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Hesperus]
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TheLookingGlass: Sweet pics. Does anyone I know what is the upper limit for sustained g forces with jets ? I mean is there some limit beyond which air stops working normally? Or is it just a mechanical forces factor? How Bout jet engines? From my limited expierence with model airplane engines as well as model pulse jets I know that high g forces can richen up the engine or lean it out depending on the manuver. Obviously full size jet engines are more advanced but I have to wonder about a heavy rotating mass not liking high g forces. Air Force fighters are usually limited to 9G. Navy fighters to something around 7G now that most aircraft have fly by wire systems. In the days before these became standard. Combat aircraft were usually limited to around 6G. But in practice they could be pulled and pushed a bit harder. Though you shouldn't count on certain delicate and/or primitive electronic systems being functional afterwards. Whenever this subject comes up it invariably leads to an argument between people who think that drones are the be all and end all of air combat and that they can take far higher g loading than any human. And people who actually build, design, work on and fly fighter aircraft who reply that the machinery can't take that much punishment if you want it to keep working for very long. Missiles have been seen pulling crazy turns in combat. But it helps that they only have to do it once. |
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Posted: 9/6/2024 7:16:31 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AeroE: That's no surprise in a technology demonstrator airplane. I suppose it's possible the aim is a low cost export manned airplane with options available for the autonomous customers. If so, the payload is microscopic. You don't need a large payload if you have 20 of them attacking at a time. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 9/6/2024 7:31:00 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Sinister: How does it compare, size-wise, to an A4 Skyhawk? https://silodrome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Douglas-A-4-Skyhawk-Fighter-Jet-5-1600x1060.jpg From Hesperus' video it appears smaller . One good aspect is ; once the pilot passes out from G's , AI will continue the fight til pilot wakes up . " shew , that was close ....oh , looks like I got em . Heh ." |
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Posted: 9/6/2024 7:32:31 PM EDT
[#34]
As others stated, it's a demonstrator, and they need provision for a pilot during development. But I doubt they would keep that feature in production. The overhead, including weight, environmental systems, ejection seat etc, must be prohibitive. Never mind that it increases the radar cross section. I'd guess they'll delete the cockpit in the final version.
Of course it would be entertaining to take civilians for a ride to experience 20G's. . |
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Posted: 9/6/2024 7:32:42 PM EDT
[#35]
The next gen fighter can swap out cockpit, nothing new
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LA, USA
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Posted: 9/6/2024 7:33:59 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cardboardkiller: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/31823/IMG_2800-3291876.jpg Male plane. Is that the dikfer? |
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Posted: 9/6/2024 7:34:15 PM EDT
[#37]
Makes sense. That way the airforce can assign DEI "pilots" to "fly" it. No training required.
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Posted: 9/6/2024 8:04:10 PM EDT
[#38]
I figured they'd look somewhat cheap and disposable, but fuck...
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Posted: 9/6/2024 8:19:22 PM EDT
[#39]
I wonder if it will get upsized? Looks kinda small to carry a useful payload.
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USA
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Posted: 9/6/2024 8:23:22 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AeroE: That's no surprise in a technology demonstrator airplane. I suppose it's possible the aim is a low cost export manned airplane with options available for the autonomous customers. If so, the payload is microscopic. Same as my 2024 Toyota. Damn thing drives itself down a winding road. |
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USA
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Posted: 9/6/2024 8:25:47 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By NY12ga: Good. Keeps the enemy guessing which ones are manned and which ones aren’t… and makes it usable as a fill-in fighter as needed under the budgets of the “unmanned” drone program It's the Air Force version of parking a police car in radar position with nobody in it. I see. |
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Posted: 9/6/2024 8:35:09 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryJessica's ass was the main character of that movie. And I'm OK with that.
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Posted: 9/6/2024 8:37:55 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Hesperus: Air Force fighters are usually limited to 9G. Navy fighters to something around 7G now that most aircraft have fly by wire systems. In the days before these became standard. Combat aircraft were usually limited to around 6G. But in practice they could be pulled and pushed a bit harder. Though you shouldn't count on certain delicate and/or primitive electronic systems being functional afterwards. Whenever this subject comes up it invariably leads to an argument between people who think that drones are the be all and end all of air combat and that they can take far higher g loading than any human. And people who actually build, design, work on and fly fighter aircraft who reply that the machinery can't take that much punishment if you want it to keep working for very long. Missiles have been seen pulling crazy turns in combat. But it helps that they only have to do it once. |
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Posted: 9/6/2024 8:40:39 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Sinister: How does it compare, size-wise, to an A4 Skyhawk? https://silodrome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Douglas-A-4-Skyhawk-Fighter-Jet-5-1600x1060.jpg I bet it leaks oil a hell of a lot less than a Skyhawk. |
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Posted: 9/6/2024 9:04:04 PM EDT
[#45]
Not surprising at all. They gotta test the fkn thing lol
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Posted: 9/6/2024 9:07:30 PM EDT
[#46]
How many G can it pull once you remove the meatbag?
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Posted: 9/6/2024 9:10:59 PM EDT
[#47]
Surprise, there's a cockpit but no controls. Ride-alongs only. Buckle up, human!
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Posted: 9/6/2024 9:13:44 PM EDT
[#48]
I wonder what they don’t show us.
What do they move at night in the dark? That’s the fun shit. |
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Posted: 9/6/2024 9:17:07 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By WhiskersTheCat: I believe I've read it's 3. Missile under each wing and one centerline. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By WhiskersTheCat: Originally Posted By AeroE: That's no surprise in a technology demonstrator airplane. I suppose it's possible the aim is a low cost export manned airplane with options available for the autonomous customers. If so, the payload is microscopic. I believe I've read it's 3. Missile under each wing and one centerline. That's pathetic. I would have guessed five or six. Three? Pfffft. 
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Posted: 9/6/2024 9:21:24 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Belfry_Express: looks kinda sexy I think it looks kind of goofy. |
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