Boeing X-45

As of March 2nd, 2006, the US Air Force has decided not to continue with the X-45 project. However, Boeing is looking at using the X-45 for aircraft landings with the US Navy. {Link without Title}


Operation

The X-45A had its first flight on May 22 , 2002 . The first generation of UCAVs are primarily planned for air-to-ground roles with defensive air-to-air capabilities coupled with significant remote piloting. On April 18 , 2004 , the X-45A's first bombing run test at Edwards Air Force Base was successful.

On February 4 , 2005 , on their 50th flight, the two X-45As took off into a patrol pattern and were then alerted to the presence of a target. The X-45As then 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 antiaircraft emplacement. Following a successful strike, another simulated threat, this time disguised, emerged and was subsequently destroyed by the second X-45A. This demonstrated the ability of these vehicles to autonomously work as a team and manage their resources, as well as to fly themselves to previously-undetected targets, which is significantly harder than following a predetermined attack path.


MEDIA

Filename Boeing X-45 footageogg   Title Multi-vehicle Coordinated Flight   Description X-45A Multi-vehicle Coordinated Flight video, August 01, 2004 (2:53, 14 MB , Ogg / Theora format)

REFERENCES

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• Boeing X-45 Site


• X-45 Video Collection


• NASA Dryden X-45A UCAV Photo Collection


• First bombing run test is a success


• The 50th flight: Two X-45s work autonomously as a group and successfully attack previously undetected targets

• List Of Experimental Aircraft


• X-plane