An upgraded ‘fifth-generation plus’ version of the F-35 could include new stealth coatings, adjustments to the aircraft’s shape, and even a path toward making the jet optionally manned, according to Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet. Continue reading
Category Archives: OPA
US Army Selects Near Earth Autonomy and Honeywell to Deliver Autonomous Black Hawk Logistics Solution
The U.S. Army selected Near Earth Autonomy to lead a new $15 Million program to develop and field an optionally piloted contested logistics solution by retrofitting UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters with advanced autonomy kits. Continue reading
Skunk Works Reveals New Optionally Crewed Tanker Concept
– Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works advanced projects division has put forward a new notional vision for a stealthy pilot-optional aerial refueling tanker. This comes as the U.S. Air Force is refining requirements for a future Next Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) ‘system of systems’ and amid serious concerns about how the service expects to pay for that and other modernization priorities. Continue reading
Russia’s UWCA Developing Unmanned and Optional-Piloted Aircraft
The Russian company UWCA (Ural works of civil aviation) runs a program to create a family of unmanned/optional-piloted aerial based on existing manned fixed wing aircraft models. It is planned to use the new multipurpose aircraft LMS-901 Baikal and the agricultural aircraft T-500 as the base for creating its primary UAVs. UWCA engineers will equip these aircraft with communication and control systems. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Firebird OPA Shows Operational Flexibility
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Firebird multi-sensor aircraft showcased the versatility of the optionally-manned autonomous system as it flew to various locations across the United States last month. Continue reading
Airbus VSR700 OPV Achieves Autonomous Takeoff and Landing from Moving Platform
The Airbus Helicopters VSR700 optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) has successfully achieved fully autonomous takeoff and landing (ATOL) approaches, validating its autonomy to and from a moving platform and advancing the VSR700 programme towards its end goal: offering a tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) with ATOL capacities for global navies. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Video of Firebird Demo at North Dakota Facility
Northrop Grumman just released this short video showing the optionally-piloted Firebird multi-mission aircraft execute Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) demos from the company’s North Dakota facility. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Announces New Orders for Firebird OPA
Marking its European debut, Northrop Grumman’s Firebird product line will be showcased at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, in the United Kingdom, July 19-21. Continue reading