I recently posted this thread:
New book by Trevor Paglin details top secret / special access unit patches
Two of the patches talked about these two skunk works projects. The patches are real and the author speculates that the Minotaur was a proof of
concept for the actual minion
Wiki has this on the Minion:
Although the J-UCAS concept is a long way from the early idea of a "reusable cruise missile", that notion is apparently alive and well. In September
2003, an announcement was made that Lockheed Martin's famous "Skunk Works" was developing an air-launched UCAV named "the Minion". Details
released describe it as having a launch weight of 3,400 kilograms (7,500 pounds) and able to carry a reconnaissance payload, a jammer system, a
high-power microwave weapon, or four 100 kilogram (220 pound) GPS-guided small-diameter bombs. It could also be used as a decoy, though it would need
to have radar-enhancement payload as it is described as extremely stealthy.
Range is given as up to 1,850 kilometers (1,000 nautical miles). Two would be carried into combat by a single strike fighter such as a Lockheed Martin
F/A-22 Raptor, with one under each wing, and launched from standoff distances to attack heavily defended targets. In practice, two strike fighters are
expected to be used, launching four Minions, with the pilot of one aircraft watching out for threats while the other directs the UCAVs over a
line-of-sight communications link. After the mission, the Minions would return to base and land conventionally on retractable landing gear
en.wikipedia.org...
Plus one ATS Thread:
www.abovetopsecret.com...
There does not seem to be much on the Minotaur out there. Ive looked online but I was hoping one of our resident experts may have a book or two at
home with more information.
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Interesting to say the least. But as with any classified subject or project such as this, there wont be very much info about it to be found.
Im a bit puzzled tho, a re-usable missle? The concept is understandable, but whats the point when you got RCAV's to do all that stuff and then some?
Satellites can do more recon than even the RCAV drones and low Earth orbiting satellites can point hi powered microwaves at targets more effectively
and be out of enemy fire to boot.
Oh well its interesting anyway. 
Cheers!!!!
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Originally posted by RFBurns
Interesting to say the least. But as with any classified subject or project such as this, there wont be very much info about it to be found.
I know but im always impressed with what our aviation group here can come up with.
Yeah its going to be slim picking for sure but if the unit patches are out in the open someone may have abook out there that has some infor.
I figure they just fly out after delivering thier payload. based on weight they seem pretty big, but one has to wonder about range etc.
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In September 2003, the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works released images of a stealthy, cruise missile-like unmanned aircraft designed to gather
intelligence or destroy sensitive electronics with a small bomb or a destructive stream of microwave energy.
Lockheed Martin's Minion UAV was designed with an even stealthier radar cross section than the F/A-22 Raptor (return smaller than a marble) and F-35
Joint Strike Fighter (smaller than a golf ball). The low-observable, 7,500-lb. unmanned aircraft will be physically small enough that one can be
carried under each wing.
Range was given as up to 1,850 kilometers (1,000 nautical miles). Two would be carried into combat by a single strike fighter such as a Lockheed
Martin F/A-22 Raptor, with one under each wing, and launched from standoff distances to attack heavily defended targets. After the mission, the
Minions would return to base and land conventionally on retractable landing gear.
According to some sources, the Minion was developed from an earlier technology demonstrator called Minotaur.
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reply to post by FredT
Nothing secret about. The Minotaur I, a four stage solid propellant rocket, couples components of retired Minuteman II missiles with upper
stage components from the commercial Pegasus rocket to create a low-cost launch vehicle and has a 100-percent success rate
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Perhaps you should have read my post, autosellers. It's right above yours. The Minotaur UAV was a predecessor to the Minion, apparently serving as a
technology demonstrator. This thread has nothing to do with the Minotaur rocket.
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