*UPDATE* Videos added - Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems - J-UCAS overview

The Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) program is a joint DARPA/Air Force/Navy effort to demonstrate the technical feasibility, military utility and operational value for a networked system of high performance, weaponized unmanned air vehicles to effectively and affordably prosecute 21st century combat missions, including Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), surveillance, and precision strike within the emerging global command and control architecture.

For more at DARPA





[Edited on 30-10-2003 by mad scientist]

[edit on 21-10-2004 by mad scientist]

That looks like South Africa they're bombing! SkyNet, here we come!

SkyNet is right... and with Gov. Arnold running up for presidential election around the same time?

Seriously though this is craziness. Thanks for the heads-up, time to head back to the bomb shelter.

DARPA have had a very good idea. An ennemy will " just " have to hack the system in order to bomb the USA or any others part of the world.

" We don't have bombers and/or bombs but we have hackers and they do a great job "

Thank you very much to the DARPA guys.

[Edited on 30-10-2003 by ultra_phoenix]

Mad Scientist,
Good summary of the current USAF & USN UCAV projects.

intelgurl

PS:

Links provided for additional information:

Here's a link for Boeing's X-45 UCAV:
www.boeing.com...
And here is a link to Northrop Grumman's X-47 UCAV-N:
www.capitol.northgrum.com...

Pictures:
Image of one of the 2 X-45 demonstrators in flight (below):



X-47 on runway:





[Edited on 30-10-2003 by intelgurl]

You have to wonder why they are even bothering to produce the JSF, surely they will be inferior to these advanced new UAV's.

PS. Good to hear from you UP, it's been a while.

IMHO, you still need (at this stage) a living brain in the circuit somewhere. UCAVs are still an untried and untested technology (save for the Predator drone strike in Oman - taking out a jeep fer crying out loud. I'm not familiar with either the X-45 or X-47's AI or man-in-the-loop capability and don't know how well they can respond to combat zone changes (or Murphy's Law). The F-22 and F-35 offer a step between UCAVs with BVR combat and maximum situational awareness.

Originally posted by MKULTRA

SkyNet is right... and with Gov. Arnold running up for presidential election around the same time?

Seriously though this is craziness. Thanks for the heads-up, time to head back to the bomb shelter.

Ahhnold cannot be President.. he's a naturalized citizen.

DROP TEST VIDEOS - Check them out

www.darpa.mil...

There are 2 X-47 flight videos as well.