BAE Systems has signed an agreement with the U.S. Air Force for the development of an attritable air vehicle system under the Skyborg program. The $400 million contract is “open” in terms of delivery and quantity. As part of the program, the company will develop a digital design for a low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of operating autonomously for the Skyborg program – which aims to create a low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle that can work with manned fighters to increase air combat power.
Teamed with a manned aircraft, the UAVs will leverage autonomy to disrupt and defeat adversaries in contested environments.
The model of cooperating manned fighter jets with unmanned aerial vehicles is particularly advanced as the next step of the air force – with pilots acting as “guides” of unmanned, accompanying aircraft, for increased efficiency in aerial view military operations with a strong hostile presence, against opponents with similar capabilities....MORE
