Farnborough 2008 Show News - July 16, 2008 - (Page 42)

FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 Raytheon Roars into UAVs with the Killer Bee Nearly 10 different companies could be in contention for the latest U.S. Navy and Marine Corps unmanned aerial system (UAS) program, known as small tactical UAS (STUAS) or Tier II. Among the long list of potential competitors is one company that will definitely be in the running, but with virtually no track record in the UAS business. That company is Raytheon, which has teamed with Swift Engineering to offer the Killer Bee UAS for STUAS/Tier II. The bid is a statement of intent by Raytheon, which has identified the STUAS/Tier II program as the jumping-off point to enter the UAS market with vigor. The company maintains that it has hidden strengths when it comes to UAS air vehicle engineering, and considerable experience in UAS systems and infrastructure. “After all,” says Donald Newman, director, unmanned systems, advanced programs for Raytheon Missile Systems, “the Tomahawk [cruise missile] is a UAV that doesn’t come back and we produce the sensor systems and ground stations for pretty much every UAV you can think of—Global Hawk, Fire Scout, Predator, Reaper and Sky Warrior. stuff; we want the best answers. STUAS/Tier II is all about mission systems engineering and mission growth. The Killer Bee is a blended wing design with 5,800 cubic inches of internal space and a 58 lb [lift] capacity. The Tier II requirement is for 25 to 30 lb, so the vehicle has growth capacity. We can carry that kind of payload for 15 hours.” Raytheon says it has a broad strategy to tackle the UAV market both in the U.S. and globally. Newman says that “there are other projects out there we are going to take seriously. We are starting with STUAS/Tier II, but our ambitions are much bigger than that.” Ryan Hartman, Raytheon’s director, Tier II/capture lead, advanced programs, again makes the point that Raytheon’s lack of presence in the UAV world is not a problem. “We have been in this business as long as any of our competitors. The Tomahawk shows we can do ‘autonomy’ and it has a whole back-end infrastructure that’s applicable to any UAV. Customers are interested in systems, not air vehicles. Anyone knows how to bend metal, but we understand systems, and we don’t just bend metal around them.” The Killer Bee will be fitted with a new optical sensor developed by Opticalchemy from its KJ-series, selected because “they were the place to go,” says Hartman. He adds that Raytheon has adopted a purposebuilt heavy fuel engine “from a small company with an intriguing design in the U.S. It’s a 15-hp power-output that is constant to high altitude with a supercharger.” A draft RFP for STUAS/Tier III was issued in June. The final RFP is expected by September 8, with submissions due within 60 days. A contract award is expected in 2Q FY09. There will be a down-select to one supplier with a 12-month SDD phase to follow. Raytheon says it expects “four credible competitors.” “It’s too bad it’s not a beauty competition,” says Hartman. “Killer Bee is the most sexy aircraft there.” —Robert Hewson 42 Killer Bee is part of a broad Raytheon strategy targeting world UAV market. Tucson builds aircraft-like vehicles that are fitted with autopilots, mission computers and datalinks, so we are just taking those capabilities and applying them to a new business. “We want to be a mission-system integrator and platform agnostic. We are not hung up on using our own CMC Targets ATR Certification for PilotView The EFB installation underwent additional flight tests in May, allowing further fine tuning of the mechanical mount, CMC said. The dual installation PilotView EFB will allow paperless cockpit operations, including aircraft data, procedures manuals and interactive electronic charts. “The expected certification by ATR will enable regional airlines to capitalize on cockpit computer technologies to increase fleet profitability,” said Bruce Bailey, CMC Electronics’ vp for commercial aviation. There are currently more than 23 supplemental type certificates available for the PilotView EFB on a wide range of aircraft fleets. CMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Esterline Corp., and its principal locations are in Montreal, Ottawa and Chicago. CMC seeks EASA nod for electronic flight bag for ATRs. —Adrian Schofield CMC Electronics is working with ATR to achieve EASA certification for the Class 2 PilotView electronic flight bag. The EFB was selected by ATR as a standard option for new aircraft and for retrofits of in-service ATR-42s and -72s. July 16, 2008 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews

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Bombardier, Shenyang $5 Billion for Composites 787 and Seven V-22s for Export Sale? Saving Fuel at SFO Raytheon Roars Into UAVs Bell Eyes ARH-70A Costs All According to Plan We Fly the PC-12NG Russia’s T-50 PAK-FA Optimistic in Israel ICAO Sim Classifications Pratt to Power New Drone Russian Conglomerate

Farnborough 2008 Show News - July 16, 2008

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