Powered by a Rolls-Royce AE3007H engine, the MQ-4C Triton cruises at an airspeed of 320 knots, has a service ceiling of 60,000 feet, has an unfueled range of 8,200 nautical miles and an endurance of 30 hours. This latter capability gives it an on station time vastly exceeding that of any comparable manned aircraft. The MQ-4C Triton falls into the category of large UAV, weighing in with a max gross take-off weight of over 32,000 pounds, a length of over 47 feet, and a wingspan of 130 feet.
The MQ-8C has a cruise speed of 115 knots and a dash speed of 135 knots, a service ceiling of 16,000 feet, a range of 150 nautical miles, a maximum endurance of 12 hours, and an internal payload capacity of more than 700 pounds. Working in concert with the MH-60R Seahawk, the Fire Scout provides the LCS with persistent, over-the-horizon support for all the bulk LCS/FF warfare areas.
From a mission perspective, the MQ-4C Triton can carry an impressive array of sensors and communications equipment, including: communications relay capability; beyond line of sight communications and 360-degree field of regard sensors such as Multi-Function Active Sensor Maritime Radar and an Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor; and Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) receivers.
The MQ-8C Fire Scout
The MQ-8C Fire Scout system is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting support for ground, air, and sea forces. The MQ-8C can operate from a variety of air-capable ships and, along with its manned partner, the MH-60R Seahawk, provides an essential part of the main battery of the littoral combat ship (LCS)/fast frigate. The MQ-8C provides longer endurance, range, and greater payload capability than the earlier MQ-8B.
The MQ-8C has a cruise speed of 115 knots and a dash speed of 135 knots, a service ceiling of 16,000 feet, a range of 150 nautical miles, a maximum endurance of 12 hours, and an internal payload capacity of more than 700 pounds. Working in concert with the MH-60R Seahawk, the Fire Scout provides the LCS with persistent, over-the-horizon support for all the bulk LCS/FF warfare areas.
X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D)
The mission of the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) is to mature technologies for a carrier-suitable unmanned aerial system, while reducing risk for UAS carrier integration and developing the critical data necessary to support potential follow-on acquisition programs. The Navy UCAS-D program developed and demonstrated a carrier-suitable UAS air system in support of persistent, penetrating surveillance and penetrating strike capability in high threat areas. The program has evolved technologies required to conduct launch, recovery, and carrier-controlled airspace operations.
In fiscal year 2013, the Navy completed the UCAS-D carrier demonstration objectives. During three at-sea periods, the X-47B conducted a total of 37 deck touchdowns, 30 precise touch-and-go landings, and multiple catapult launches, arrested landings, and planned autonomous wave-offs. In 2014, the X-47B completed its first cooperative flight tests with manned aircraft in the carrier environment. In April 2015, the X-47B conducted the first fully autonomous aerial refuelling, taking fuel from a KC-707 tanker.
The Navy’s unmanned X-47B lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The aircraft completed a series of tests demonstrating its ability to operate safely and seamlessly with manned aircraft. U.S. Navy photo by Liz Wolter
Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100-220U engine, the X-47B can travel at high subsonic speeds. With a length of almost 40 feet and a wingspan of 62 feet, the maximum gross takeoff weight for carrier operations is 44,500 pounds. Payload provisions can accommodate electro-optical, infrared, radar, and electronic support measures sensors.
MQ-25 Stingray
The Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system was planned as the next step in the Navy’s evolutionary integration of UAS into the carrier strike group. It would have provided a carrier-based unmanned aircraft system supporting long-endurance, proven intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISR&T), and precision strike capability to joint and naval warfare commanders, as well as an emerging mission area, that of a carrier-based airborne refueling asset.
UCLASS was developed as three-segment system consisting of a control system and connectivity segment, a carrier segment, and an air segment, with the Navy functioning as lead system integrator. The system would maximize the use of existing technology to launch and control the air vehicle, transfer data, and support persistent surveillance and precision strike operations. Additionally, the system would be integrated into carrier-controlled airspace operations and maintained in accordance with standard fleet processes as tailored for unmanned applications.