Skunkworks working on ISR/Strike capable UAS, page 1
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Topic started on 6-9-2005 @ 11:49 PM by intelgurl
In the first quarter of 2006, Lockheed is supposed to announce that it is building an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) at it's famous Skunkworks.

The DOD has been closely studying the capabilities needed for a penetrating, air-breathing unmanned reconnaissance aircraft to survive sophisticated air defenses.

In the past UAS developments have been funded mainly by DARPA, but this case is unique in that it is being funded by the USAF. This new UAS is supposed to be a survivable penetrator for use primarily in high-threat environments and it is purported that this system will take the place of the high flying SR-71 which was retired several years back. DARPA in recent history has funded systems such as the DarkStar UAS and it is expected that this new USAF funded system will fly higher and carry more payload than the DarkStar system did.

This new Skunkworks baby is also rumored to be designed for ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) functions utilizing AESA radar.
However, to go along with the enhanced "Kill Chain" doctrine it is being made to employ both kinetic and/or nonkinetic weapons.
The kinetic program apparently involves the 250-lb. Small-Diameter Bomb.
The non-kinetic program involves AESA radar being upgraded to electronic weapons status. These AESA weapon systems are capable of both cracking into network systems and crashing network systems leaving no telltale fingerprint.

*** At present I have no links to attribute this information to as it came to me in a company email, however that should all change in the next few days or weeks as the trades get ahold of this information.


reply posted on 7-9-2005 @ 04:53 AM by FredT
Skunk Works Developing Secret Intel UAV (Note I took this out of order in the article adn if you do not have a subscription the link will not work)



This new system is said to be designed initially to collect intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance with advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. However, it also is being constructed with an eye toward employing both kinetic and/or nonkinetic weapons in some future phase of spiral development. The kinetic program--which would likely involve the 250-lb. Small-Diameter Bomb--is drawing less interest from defense and intelligence planners than nonexplosive weapons.

OF MORE INTEREST are new AESA arrays with the potential to be upgraded into weapons (see p. 50). Nonkinetic activities can be masked more easily by producing an effect that leaves an enemy unaware he's been attacked. The combination of sensor and weapon will give substance to a longtime Pentagon goal of producing "weapons effects" such as computer disruptions. It can also jam or allow penetration of computer and communications networks. Once inside enemy networks, U.S. operators can conduct intelligence-gathering or take control of networks for critical seconds or minutes during an air strike, for example. All of this would be done with no fingerprints such as bomb fragments or craters.

This new vehicle could become an unofficial competitor for the J-UCAS program. The Air Force and Navy are designing the stealthy J-UCAS system to collect intelligence, although USAF has also expressed interest in the ability to strike air defense radars and execute electronic attack missions. However, these aircraft are designed for some low-altitude and high-speed flight, which would hamper long-endurance missions.
New Lockheed UAV



reply posted on 7-9-2005 @ 02:10 PM by Zion Mainframe
I got it @ AWST:

Skunk Works Developing Secret Intel UAV (subscription)

Description
Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works is secretly developing a stealthy, long-endurance unmanned aircraft for penetrating deep inside hostile airspace to collect intelligence.

Unfortunately, you have to be a paid subscriber to read the entire article.

They call it an Intel UAV, so is this another secret skunk works UAS, or is it the same program?



reply posted on 12-9-2005 @ 08:48 AM by intelgurl
Originally posted by FredT
Intelgurl, could this be the Dark Star followon that was rumored to have been used in DSII?

www.abovetopsecret.com...


I believe this is the one insiders are calling "son of Dark Star"...
Chances are it is the one that was reported to have been used in Iraq.
Supposedly it is a large version of the Dark Star airframe.

Originally posted by Zion Mainframe
They call it an Intel UAV, so is this another secret skunk works UAS, or is it the same program?

They may refer to it as an "intel" UAS but it is most definitely weaponized for ground attack.
I think that may be mentioned in the AW&ST article, it was in my email.

[edit on 12-9-2005 by intelgurl]
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