September 8, 2020 | International, Aerospace
by Pat Host
Dynetics believes it gained enough data from a July flight test of its X-61A Gremlins unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to next time achieve a closer soft docking to the recovery aircraft than the 38 m distance it reached in July.
The July flight test was the demonstration of a second X-61A air vehicle as well as the Gremlins airborne recovery system. The X-61A, which weighs 544 kg, flew for a total flight time of 2 hours 12 minutes and flew in formation with a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft from as close as 38 m back and 38 m below the aircraft.
Tim Keeter, Dynetics Gremlins programme manager, told Janes on 27 August that the company needed centimetre-level accuracy and precision to get the air vehicle's engagement arm into the 30 cm stabilised towed docking, or capture, device. This process is known as soft docking. Dynetics, Keeter said, advanced the maturity of the system, its confidence in the air vehicle's behaviour, and downloaded enough data where the company is confident it can close that last 38 m for a closer soft docking event in an upcoming flight test.
The X-61A that flew in July was Gremlins Air Vehicle (GAV) Number 3, the first flight for this air vehicle. Keeter said Dynetics launched this air vehicle the same way it launched the first one: from a pylon on a C-130 operated by International Air Response (IAR), which offers C-130 services. Dynetics used the same C-130 for both launch and recovery.
October 18, 2021 | International, Aerospace, Naval
The development of ever-more-capable drones, plus the perceived vulnerability of large aircraft carriers to the latest anti-ship missiles, has convinced at least one naval observer that hybrid drone carriers—combining the qualities of a flattop and a cruiser—are the warship of the future.
September 5, 2023 | International, Naval
AUKUS was announced two years ago. Now Congress must pass several bills to make the pact work, from export controls to submarine transfer authorities.
September 9, 2019 | International, Naval
ARLINGTON, VA, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 ̶ Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced today that it has won a U.S. Navy contract for the development, integration, and production of hardware solutions for various Navy platforms. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a base award of more than $382 million. With options, the cumulative value of the contract is estimated at more than $830 million. Under the contract, Leonardo DRS will provide design, procurement, production, sparing, test, installation, and support of displays, workstations, processors, and network systems; the production of subsequent systems, kits and enclosures; and engineering and technical services. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, the government of the United Kingdom under the Foreign Military Sales program, as well as under a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth of Australia. “We are proud to continue our long history of providing the U.S. Navy with off-the-shelf and custom hardware systems that deliver the mission-critical modernization needs for our sailors. We have already delivered or are under contract for over 250 shipsets of products, going back to 1998.” said Lee Meyer, vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics business. “This is another example that from stem-to-stern, Leonardo DRS provides a wide range of technologies and solutions to enhance readiness and augment shipboard operations and functionality.” he said. The contract was awarded through the Leonardo DRS Laurel Technologies business. Work will be performed in Leonardo DRS facilities in Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Burnsville, Minnesota; Germantown, Maryland; Largo, Florida; and Chesapeake, Virginia. Work is expected to be completed in December 2026. About Leonardo DRS Leonardo DRS is a prime contractor, leading technology innovator and supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and defense contractors worldwide. Its Naval Electronics business unit provides leading naval computing infrastructure, network and data distribution and middleware enterprise services, as well as world-class manufacturing and support capabilities. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Leonardo DRS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leonardo S.p.A. See the full range of capabilities at www.LeonardoDRS.com and on Twitter @LeonardoDRSnews. For additional information please contact: Michael Mount Senior Director, Public Affairs +1 571 447 4624 mmount@drs.com Twitter: @LeonardoDRSnews https://www.leonardodrs.com/news-and-events/press-releases/leonardo-drs-wins-382-million-us-navy-hardware-solutions-contract/