User Panel
Posted: 8/11/2024 12:10:23 PM EST
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. |
|
[#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. |
|
[#3]
|
|
[#4]
|
|
[#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?
|
|
[#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.
|
|
[#14]
|
|
[#15]
Quoted: 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. View Quote A few wing pylons and AA missiles can be added for effect |
|
[#16]
|
|
[#17]
|
|
[#18]
View Quote That Sir (if I may call you that), is a feminine penis. |
|
[#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
|
|
[#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. |
|
[#21]
Quoted: 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. View Quote I believe I've read it's 3. Missile under each wing and one centerline. |
|
[#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.
|
|
[#23]
|
|
[#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 |
|
[#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.
|
|
[#28]
|
|
[#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. |
|
[#31]
Quoted: 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. View Quote 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. |
|
[#32]
Quoted: 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. View Quote You don't need a large payload if you have 20 of them attacking at a time. |
|
[#33]
Quoted: 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 View Quote 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 ." |
|
[#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. . |
|
[#36]
View Quote Is that the dikfer? |
|
[#37]
Makes sense. That way the airforce can assign DEI "pilots" to "fly" it. No training required.
|
|
[#38]
I figured they'd look somewhat cheap and disposable, but fuck...
|
|
[#39]
I wonder if it will get upsized? Looks kinda small to carry a useful payload.
|
|
[#40]
Quoted: 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. View Quote Same as my 2024 Toyota. Damn thing drives itself down a winding road. |
|
[#41]
Quoted: 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 View Quote It's the Air Force version of parking a police car in radar position with nobody in it. I see. |
|
[#42]
View Quote |
|
[#43]
Quoted: 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. View Quote |
|
[#44]
Quoted: 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 View Quote I bet it leaks oil a hell of a lot less than a Skyhawk. |
|
[#47]
Surprise, there's a cockpit but no controls. Ride-alongs only. Buckle up, human!
|
|
[#48]
I wonder what they don’t show us.
What do they move at night in the dark? That’s the fun shit. |
|
[#49]
Quoted: I believe I've read it's 3. Missile under each wing and one centerline. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: 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. |
|
[#50]
|
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.