September 20, 2018 | International, Aerospace
Robin Hughes, London - IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets
MBDA in the United Kingdom has unveiled a new combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) concept designed to provide on-call, low-cost organic precision effects close air support for forward-deployed land forces.
Spectre is a tilt wing, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) combat air system concept capable of quickly transitioning to forward flight mode for rapid traversal over complex terrain at low altitude.
Designed with an integrated modular payload bay capable of incorporating systems up to 25 kg, Spectre can be equipped with either two MBDA Enforcers or a single Missile Moyenne Portee (MMP) multirole weapons system to address light armoured, soft-skinned and unmanned threats, or heavier armoured threats.
The Spectre system can ‘find and fix' beyond line-of-sight threats in complex operational environments to assist deployed ground forces. It also incorporates a ‘watch and wait' mode with a top attack capability effectively giving the Spectre an overwatch/loitering munition utility.
Other mission module options include re-supply payloads, improved sensors, or electronic warfare payloads. The latter payload can be combined with kinetic effects to disrupt adversary operations.
Spectre's various mission modules can be replaced by the operator in-theatre, and the system design provides for the integration of new and upgraded modules and technologies and requirements evolve.
As currently envisaged, Spectre will have a cruise speed of 180 km/h, a cruising altitude of less than 100 m, and combat range in excess of 10 km with a flight endurance of more than 60 minutes. The Spectre design provides for two (front and aft) 2 m tilt wings, with four rotor assemblies: one on each wing. The all-up weight of the concept system has not been disclosed. Other features include automatic navigation, operator-over-the-loop command and control (but with firing authority always with the human operator), and anti-jam GPS navigation. Spectre can be used as a single system, or as a scalable co-operative swarming capability.
https://www.janes.com/article/83133/mbda-unveils-spectre-combat-uav-concept
October 6, 2024 | International, Aerospace
Under this contract, BAE Systems will deliver the Propulsor Forward Assemblies, as well as design engineering support services and support and sustainment hardware.
November 24, 2020 | International, Naval
By DAVE RESS NOV 23, 2020 AT 6:54 PM Newport News Shipbuilding won a $2.2 billion contract to build six module sections for each of the Navy's first two Columbia-class submarines. The contract was awarded by General Dynamics' Electric Boat division, which has worked in a partnership with Newport News building nuclear subs for the Navy for several years. Newport News is to deliver the completed modules to Electric Boat, which is responsible for final assembly of the boats, beginning in November 2022. The last module delivery is to occur by January 2028. Newport News is a major contractor and shipbuilding partner in the Columbia-class program. The shipyard began advance construction work on the first boat in May 2019, under contract to Electric Boat. The Columbia class will replace the fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The lead ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2027. “This contract continues NNS' longstanding and strong commitment to the Navy's undersea enterprise through the design and construction of major modules and assemblies necessary to achieve program objectives,” said Charles Southall, Newport News' vice president of Columbia-class Submarine Construction. The Navy has said it expects the 12 submarines will cost $109 billion. The shipyard, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, will handle about 22% of construction. To keep the Columbia program on track, Newport News is picking up a larger portion of the work it has long shared with Electric Boat on Virginia class submarines. Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com https://www.pilotonline.com/business/shipyards/dp-nw-newport-news-submarine-contact-20201123-feybinswb5dhdgk3p3f37aaypy-story.html
July 7, 2021 | International, C4ISR, Security
Biden Signs Order to Bolster Cybersecurity