Author Topic: Airborn "Terminators" (Read 501 times)

Sabre · « **on:** February 14, 2005, 08:12:31 AM »

Real life emulates fiction...

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X-45As fly simulated combat mission
By Bill Barksdale

Imagine having a stealthy military aircraft capable of flying over enemy territory, ready to strike and destroy surprise threats immediately without risk to your pilots. Two Boeing Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems X-45A unmanned aircraft demonstrated that capability Feb. 4 when they flew a simulated combat mission during their 50th flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

The two X-45As began the latest test, known as Peacekeeper, by departing from Edwards and climbing to altitudes of 24,500 and 25,500 feet, respectively. Separated by approximately 25 miles and operating at Mach .65 (225 knots), the jets began their combat air patrol mission to provide airborne alert over the exercise area. Tasked with suppression of enemy air defenses, the two vehicles were given two simulated pop-up ground threats to eliminate.

Once alerted to the first threat, the X-45As autonomously determined which vehicle held the optimum position, weapons and fuel load to properly attack the target. After making that decision, one of the X-45As changed course and the pilot-operator allowed it to attack the simulated ground-based radar. Following a successful strike, another simulated threat emerged and was subsequently destroyed by the second X-45A. The two X-45As completed their mission and safely returned to Edwards.

OIO · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2005, 08:19:01 AM »

The US Gov has begun recruiting Aces High pilots to fly their un-manned aircraft.

Early tests show a frightening propensity to spray and pray, guiding the bombs to target...with the unmaned aircraft still attached, and new terminology appearing in radio chatter (dweeb).

JB73 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2005, 10:28:50 AM »

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...Once alerted to the first threat, the X-45As autonomously determined...

frightening

straffo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2005, 11:21:42 AM »

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Originally posted by GScholz
Nice rig ...

no track IR with vector extension ?

pfffffffffffffffff...

Sabre · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2005, 12:20:18 PM »

Yeah, and where's the Thrustmaster Couger HOTAS? Cheap buzzards!

JB73 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2005, 12:29:16 PM »

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Originally posted by Sabre
Yeah, and where's the Thrustmaster Couger HOTAS? Cheap buzzards!

it's lazer, he flies with a mouse

mosgood · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2005, 12:40:21 PM »

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Originally posted by JB73
it's lazer, he flies with a mouse

in the shape of a gun handle

Vulcan · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2005, 01:30:13 PM »

OMFG they support dual-screens!

Chairboy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2005, 01:45:51 PM »

Yeah, one of them is for chat.

USAFd00dz: die, bizzatch!
InsargeantSlammer: quit vulching
USAFd00dz: bwahahahahaha!
InsargeantSlammer: ass

The real question is, how good are they at finding Sarah Conner?

Sabre · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2005, 03:14:08 PM »

And even more evidence. Could this be the precursor of the T1? Check out the photo.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,147492,00.html

rabbidrabbit · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2005, 03:52:31 PM »

how much do you want to bet that the keyboard has a "Smite" button?

Cobra412 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2005, 09:39:00 PM »

JB73 that really isn't as scary as you may think. The X-45 being alerted to a threat is pretty much no different than a manned unit being alerted to a threat and targeting it.

Basic scenario would be a Global Hawk flying in the AOR. The Global Hawks crew would find a threat in their vicinity. It would uplink those coordinates via sat and then downlinked to the X-45. The X-45s operating in the area could data link and determine which aircraft was closer and had the weapons capability to take out a particular target.

Even if the X-45 didn't have a sat uplink/downlink capability the threat recognition could be purely on RF signatures. In this case they were used in a wild weasel role. They detected the RF signature of a particular threat known to the US. From that point they did basic data link between each vehicle and one unit who was closer and had the proper ordinance dropped on the target.

Over time the battle field will require the use of identification systems for all soldiers and equipment. No different than the current IFF systems that are used for combat aircraft. They are already in the process of designing such systems that will link the AORs combatants with command and control. From there they would basically have a realtime update of practically every piece of equipment in use. The Link 16 system is what I'm referring to. This could be expanded and include units not only in the air but on the ground also. Everything could be linked to a command and control center flying or on the ground depending on the data link capabilities of each unit. The thing to remember is the vehicles aren't completely autonomous. To have one that is completely autonomous could spell disaster if a large data link system isn't available across the spectrum. I can pretty much guarantee though that man will never allow a combat system to act solely on AI. There will always be an override ability.

RedTop · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2005, 09:54:59 PM »

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Originally posted by Chairboy
Yeah, one of them is for chat.

USAFd00dz: die, bizzatch!
InsargeantSlammer: quit vulching
USAFd00dz: bwahahahahaha!
InsargeantSlammer: ass

bunch · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2005, 05:15:32 AM »

Will this bird make for the most boring flight sim ever?