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Boeing X-45

January 07, 2023

The Boeing X-45 unmanned combat air vehicle is a concept demonstrator for a next generation of completely autonomous military aircraft, developed by Boeing's Phantom Works. Manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, the X-45 was a part of DARPA's J-UCAS project.

X-45
Boeing X-45A
Role Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
Manufacturer Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
First flight 22 May 2002
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 2
Variants Phantom Ray
Boeing X-46

Development

Boeing developed the X-45 from research gathered during the development of the Bird of Prey. The X-45 features an extremely low-profile dorsal intake placed near the leading edge of the aircraft. The center fuselage is blended into a swept lambda wing, with a small exhaust outlet. It has no vertical control surfaces — split ailerons near each wingtip function as asymmetric air brakes, providing rudder control, much as in Northrop's flying wings.

X-45A test flight

Removing the pilot and its associated facilities from the aircraft dramatically reduces the aircraft's cost. Ground-based pilots execute the higher level decisions, but the mechanical flying of the aircraft is autonomous.

Variants

X-45A

Boeing built two of the model X-45A; both were scaled-down proof-of-concept aircraft. The first was completed by Boeing's Phantom Works in September 2000.[1] The goal of the X-45A technology demonstrator program was to develop the technologies needed to "conduct suppression of enemy air defense missions with unmanned combat air vehicles."[1] The first generation of unmanned combat air vehicles are primarily planned for air-to-ground roles with defensive air-to-air capabilities coupled with significant remote piloting.

 
X-45A underside with weapons bay door open

The X-45A had its first flight on May 22, 2002, and the second vehicle followed in November of that year. On April 18, 2004, the X-45A's first bombing run test at Edwards Air Force Base was successful; it hit a ground target with a 250-pound (110 kg) inert precision-guided munition. On August 1, 2004, for the first time, two X-45As were controlled in flight simultaneously by one ground-based pilot.

On February 4, 2005, on their 50th flight, the two X-45As took off into a patrol pattern and were then alerted to the presence of a target. The X-45As then autonomously determined which vehicle held the optimum position, weapons (notional), and fuel load to properly attack the target. After making that decision, one of the X-45As changed course and the ground-based pilot authorized the consent to attack the simulated antiaircraft emplacement. Following a successful strike, another simulated threat, this time disguised, emerged and was subsequently destroyed by the second X-45A.[2] This demonstrated the ability of these vehicles to work autonomously as a team and manage their resources, as well as to engage previously-undetected targets, which is significantly harder than following a predetermined attack path.

After the completion of the flight test program, both X-45As were sent to museums, one to the National Air and Space Museum, and the other to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where it was inducted on November 13, 2006.[1][3]

The X-45A introduced yaw axis thrust vectoring.[4]

X-45B/C

 
The newer, larger X-45C
 
X-45C 3/4 front view

The larger X-45B design was modified to have even more fuel capacity and three times greater combat range, becoming the X-45C. Each wing's leading edge spans from the nose to the wingtip, giving the aircraft more wing area, and a planform very similar to the B-2 Spirits'. The first of the three planned X-45C aircraft was originally scheduled to be completed in 2006, with capability demonstrations scheduled for early 2007. By 2010, Boeing hoped to complete an autonomous aerial refueling of the X-45C by a KC-135 Stratotanker. Boeing has displayed a mock-up of the X-45C on static displays at many airshows.

The X-45C portion of the program received $767 million from DARPA in October 2004, to construct and test three aircraft, along with several supplemental goals. The X-45C included an F404 engine.[5] In July 2005, DARPA awarded an additional $175 million to continue the program, as well as implement autonomous Aerial refueling technology.[6]

On March 2, 2006, the US Air Force decided not to continue with the X-45 project. However, Boeing submitted a proposal to the Navy for a carrier based demonstrator version of the X-45, designated the X-45N.

X-45N

The X-45N was Boeing's proposal to the Navy's Unmanned Combat Air Systems demonstration project. When it became known that the US Air Force would end funding to the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System program[7] (which included the X-45 and X-47), the US Navy started its own UCAS program.[8] Requirements were defined over the summer of 2006, and proposals were submitted in April 2007.[9]

The first flight of the X-45N was planned for November 2008, had Boeing won the contract.[10] The contract was eventually awarded to Northrop Grumman's proposed naval X-47, thus ending the X-45 program.[11]

The software Boeing developed to allow the X-45N to land and takeoff autonomously on aircraft carriers has recently been installed on the first F/A-18F, which has used it to perform autonomous approaches. All autonomous approaches ended with a wave-off by design. This Super Hornet is expected to be able to hook the carrier's arrester cables autonomously by the 2009 timeframe,[12] setting the stage for carrier-borne UAV operations.

Phantom Ray

Main article: Boeing Phantom Ray

Boeing planned to develop and demonstrate an unmanned flying test bed for advanced air system technologies. The internally funded program, called Phantom Ray, uses the X-45C prototype vehicle[13] that Boeing originally developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy Joint-Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) program. The UAV was not aimed at any particular program or competition.[14]

Specifications (X-45A)

 
X-45 deploying a GPS-guided bomb

Data from Airforce Technology,[15][unreliable source?] Boeing page[16]

General characteristics

  • Length: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
  • Wingspan: 33 ft 10 in (10.31 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
  • Empty weight: 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Honeywell F124-GA-100 turbofan engine

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 533 kn (613 mph, 987 km/h)
  • Combat range: 1,300 nmi (1,500 mi, 2,400 km)
  • Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,000 m)

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ a b c Swan, Sarah (2006-11-17). "X-45A Unmanned Combat Vehicle on Display". Aerotech News and Review.
  2. ^ The 50th flight: Two X-45s work autonomously as a group and successfully attack previously undetected targets August 29, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Boeing news release November 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Speed bump: USAF sets modest goals for new bomber".
  5. ^ "Boeing Receives First Engines for X-45C UCAV" December 5, 2005, at the Wayback Machine. Boeing, November 18, 2004.
  6. ^ "Boeing Awarded Additional $175 Million for Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems Capability Demonstration Program" November 25, 2005, at the Wayback Machine. Boeing, July 11, 2005.
  7. ^ "J-UCAS ending" 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, Aviation Week and Space Technology.
  8. ^ "Navy's UCAS program", Aviation Week and Space Technology.
  9. ^ article; Navy UCAS proposals" 2012-02-05 at the Wayback Machine, Aviation Week and Space Technology
  10. ^ "Winner to be selected in late 2007 or early 2008". Aviation Week and Space Technology.
  11. ^ "Navy awards UCAS-D contract to Northrop Grumman X-47 team[dead link]
  12. ^ "F/A-18F approaches carrier autonomously, will soon land autonomously" 2012-02-05 at the Wayback Machine. Aviation Week and Space Technology
  13. ^ "Boeing's Phantom Ray - the 'Phoenix' of UCAVs". Aviation Week.
  14. ^ "Breaking: Boeing resurrects X-45C as 'Phantom Ray' testbed". Flight Global.
  15. ^ X-45 J-UCAV Joint Unmanned Combat Air System, specifications. airforce-technology.com
  16. ^ X-45 Joint Unmanned Combat Air System March 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Boeing.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boeing X-45.
  • First bombing run test is a success
  • Boeing X-45 / X-46 page on designation-systems.net
  • Photograph; X-45C unfinished prototype
  • X-45C/N computer-rendered images
  • Boeing 'Phantom Eye' Hydrogen Powered Vehicle Takes Shape

January 07, 2023
boeing, unmanned, combat, vehicle, concept, demonstrator, next, generation, completely, autonomous, military, aircraft, developed, boeing, phantom, works, manufactured, boeing, integrated, defense, systems, part, darpa, ucas, project, 45arole, unmanned, combat. The Boeing X 45 unmanned combat air vehicle is a concept demonstrator for a next generation of completely autonomous military aircraft developed by Boeing s Phantom Works Manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems the X 45 was a part of DARPA s J UCAS project X 45Boeing X 45ARole Unmanned Combat Air VehicleManufacturer Boeing Integrated Defense SystemsFirst flight 22 May 2002Primary user United States Air ForceNumber built 2Variants Phantom Ray Boeing X 46 Contents 1 Development 2 Variants 2 1 X 45A 2 2 X 45B C 2 3 X 45N 2 4 Phantom Ray 3 Specifications X 45A 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksDevelopment EditBoeing developed the X 45 from research gathered during the development of the Bird of Prey The X 45 features an extremely low profile dorsal intake placed near the leading edge of the aircraft The center fuselage is blended into a swept lambda wing with a small exhaust outlet It has no vertical control surfaces split ailerons near each wingtip function as asymmetric air brakes providing rudder control much as in Northrop s flying wings source source source source source source X 45A test flight Removing the pilot and its associated facilities from the aircraft dramatically reduces the aircraft s cost Ground based pilots execute the higher level decisions but the mechanical flying of the aircraft is autonomous Variants EditX 45A Edit Boeing built two of the model X 45A both were scaled down proof of concept aircraft The first was completed by Boeing s Phantom Works in September 2000 1 The goal of the X 45A technology demonstrator program was to develop the technologies needed to conduct suppression of enemy air defense missions with unmanned combat air vehicles 1 The first generation of unmanned combat air vehicles are primarily planned for air to ground roles with defensive air to air capabilities coupled with significant remote piloting X 45A underside with weapons bay door open The X 45A had its first flight on May 22 2002 and the second vehicle followed in November of that year On April 18 2004 the X 45A s first bombing run test at Edwards Air Force Base was successful it hit a ground target with a 250 pound 110 kg inert precision guided munition On August 1 2004 for the first time two X 45As were controlled in flight simultaneously by one ground based pilot On February 4 2005 on their 50th flight the two X 45As took off into a patrol pattern and were then alerted to the presence of a target The X 45As then autonomously determined which vehicle held the optimum position weapons notional and fuel load to properly attack the target After making that decision one of the X 45As changed course and the ground based pilot authorized the consent to attack the simulated antiaircraft emplacement Following a successful strike another simulated threat this time disguised emerged and was subsequently destroyed by the second X 45A 2 This demonstrated the ability of these vehicles to work autonomously as a team and manage their resources as well as to engage previously undetected targets which is significantly harder than following a predetermined attack path After the completion of the flight test program both X 45As were sent to museums one to the National Air and Space Museum and the other to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base where it was inducted on November 13 2006 1 3 The X 45A introduced yaw axis thrust vectoring 4 X 45B C Edit The newer larger X 45C X 45C 3 4 front view The larger X 45B design was modified to have even more fuel capacity and three times greater combat range becoming the X 45C Each wing s leading edge spans from the nose to the wingtip giving the aircraft more wing area and a planform very similar to the B 2 Spirits The first of the three planned X 45C aircraft was originally scheduled to be completed in 2006 with capability demonstrations scheduled for early 2007 By 2010 Boeing hoped to complete an autonomous aerial refueling of the X 45C by a KC 135 Stratotanker Boeing has displayed a mock up of the X 45C on static displays at many airshows The X 45C portion of the program received 767 million from DARPA in October 2004 to construct and test three aircraft along with several supplemental goals The X 45C included an F404 engine 5 In July 2005 DARPA awarded an additional 175 million to continue the program as well as implement autonomous Aerial refueling technology 6 On March 2 2006 the US Air Force decided not to continue with the X 45 project However Boeing submitted a proposal to the Navy for a carrier based demonstrator version of the X 45 designated the X 45N X 45N Edit The X 45N was Boeing s proposal to the Navy s Unmanned Combat Air Systems demonstration project When it became known that the US Air Force would end funding to the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System program 7 which included the X 45 and X 47 the US Navy started its own UCAS program 8 Requirements were defined over the summer of 2006 and proposals were submitted in April 2007 9 The first flight of the X 45N was planned for November 2008 had Boeing won the contract 10 The contract was eventually awarded to Northrop Grumman s proposed naval X 47 thus ending the X 45 program 11 The software Boeing developed to allow the X 45N to land and takeoff autonomously on aircraft carriers has recently been installed on the first F A 18F which has used it to perform autonomous approaches All autonomous approaches ended with a wave off by design This Super Hornet is expected to be able to hook the carrier s arrester cables autonomously by the 2009 timeframe 12 setting the stage for carrier borne UAV operations Phantom Ray Edit Main article Boeing Phantom Ray Boeing planned to develop and demonstrate an unmanned flying test bed for advanced air system technologies The internally funded program called Phantom Ray uses the X 45C prototype vehicle 13 that Boeing originally developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA U S Air Force U S Navy Joint Unmanned Combat Air System J UCAS program The UAV was not aimed at any particular program or competition 14 Specifications X 45A Edit X 45 deploying a GPS guided bomb Data from Airforce Technology 15 unreliable source Boeing page 16 General characteristicsLength 26 ft 6 in 8 08 m Wingspan 33 ft 10 in 10 31 m Height 6 ft 8 in 2 03 m Empty weight 8 000 lb 3 629 kg Powerplant 1 Honeywell F124 GA 100 turbofan enginePerformance Cruise speed 533 kn 613 mph 987 km h Combat range 1 300 nmi 1 500 mi 2 400 km Service ceiling 40 000 ft 12 000 m Armament Hardpoints 8 2 weapon bays with 4 in each to carry JDAM or Small diameter bombSee also EditRelated development Boeing X 46 Boeing Phantom RayAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Northrop Grumman X 47A Pegasus Lockheed Martin Polecat DRDO AURA Dassault nEUROn BAE Taranis Mikoyan Skat Sukhoi OkhotnikReferences Edit a b c Swan Sarah 2006 11 17 X 45A Unmanned Combat Vehicle on Display Aerotech News and Review The 50th flight Two X 45s work autonomously as a group and successfully attack previously undetected targets Archived August 29 2005 at the Wayback Machine Boeing news release Archived November 10 2006 at the Wayback Machine Speed bump USAF sets modest goals for new bomber Boeing Receives First Engines for X 45C UCAV Archived December 5 2005 at the Wayback Machine Boeing November 18 2004 Boeing Awarded Additional 175 Million for Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems Capability Demonstration Program Archived November 25 2005 at the Wayback Machine Boeing July 11 2005 J UCAS ending Archived 2007 09 27 at the Wayback Machine Aviation Week and Space Technology Navy s UCAS program Aviation Week and Space Technology article Navy UCAS proposals Archived 2012 02 05 at the Wayback Machine Aviation Week and Space Technology Winner to be selected in late 2007 or early 2008 Aviation Week and Space Technology Navy awards UCAS D contract to Northrop Grumman X 47 team dead link F A 18F approaches carrier autonomously will soon land autonomously Archived 2012 02 05 at the Wayback Machine Aviation Week and Space Technology Boeing s Phantom Ray the Phoenix of UCAVs Aviation Week Breaking Boeing resurrects X 45C as Phantom Ray testbed Flight Global X 45 J UCAV Joint Unmanned Combat Air System specifications airforce technology com X 45 Joint Unmanned Combat Air System Archived March 23 2008 at the Wayback Machine Boeing External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boeing X 45 Boeing X 45 Site X 45 Video Collection NASA Dryden X 45A UCAV Photo Collection First bombing run test is a success Composites combat ready in UCAVs Boeing X 45 X 46 page on designation systems net Photograph X 45C unfinished prototype X 45C N computer rendered images Boeing Phantom Eye Hydrogen Powered Vehicle Takes Shape Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Boeing X 45 amp oldid 1101554125, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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