Additive Manufacturing to improve MQ-9 Reaper

The U.S. Air Force Research Lab is looking at ways to retrofit servo cover caps with conformal antennas for a complementary effect in order to use Link 16, a military tactical data exchange network used by fourth-generation fighter jets such as F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

“The problem that we’re addressing through this program is that there’s a big need for Link 16 on the MQ-9,” said Dan Berrigan, lead researcher for Additive Manufacturing of functional materials at the lab.

“It currently doesn’t exist on the aircraft. Because of that, the current challenge is, how do you put an antenna on an existing aircraft without drilling holes, without modifying the outer mold line?” Through 3-D printing, engineers are creating servo covers —an actuator that controls the flaps on the MQ-9 Reaper— with antennas “printed directly onto the surface.”

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General Atomics: New maritime capabilities

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has introduced a new sonobuoy capability for its MQ-9 Guardian maritime UAV which, alongside a number of other developing technologies, could make it a contender to help fill the UK’s maritime patrol gap.

While a requirement for a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) acquisition has yet to be released from the UK government, the developments that General Atomics is incorporating into the MQ-9 suggests that it will look to offer a modified Guardian to complement a manned MPA that is expected to be procured.

Other technology developments that the company is advancing include extended-range wings with external fuel tanks – something that has just been fielded with the US Air Force for the first time. The Guardian has a 1,000nm (1,850km) range and can stay on station for a further 10h, while the extended range variant has a 1,900nm range plus 10h on station.

Meanwhile, the company is developing a certifiable variant of the MQ-9 that will be able to fly in national airspace. This includes integration of the company’s detect and avoid Due Regard Radar system – for which it has been working with NASA and the US Federal Aviation Administration – into a modified MQ-9 nose, plus de-icing, lightning protection and a composite make-up similar to that on a Boeing 787.

A prototype of the detect and avoid system has just completed the third round of testing with NASA’s MQ-9-based Ikhana UAV, and testing using a certifiable system is expected to take place next year and be ready for certification in 2017.

Preparación y despegue de un MQ-9 Reaper

Vamos a ver en este post un vídeo donde se muestran las tareas de preparación y despegue de un UAV GAAS MQ-9 Reaper, dentro de los ejercicios Emerald Warrior.

Los Emerald Warrior son unos ejercicios anuales que se llevan a cabo para entrenamiento de las fuerzas especiales, y es actualmente el único ejercicio de su categoría que lleva a cabo el Pentágono.

David del Fresno Consultores

Asesoría Estratégica en Impresión 3D

http://daviddft.wix.com/david-del-fresno

First MQ-9 Reaper Operates at Fort Drum

Even though Reaper pilots have been operating out of the Hancock Field Air National Guard Base since 2009, the MQ-9 aircraft has never actually been used at the base. For training missions, they're flown out of Fort Drum. Tuesday 19th the UAV taxied at the base for the first time.

It will still be a slow and methodical process before seeing the MQ-9 Reaper in the air. The 174th Attack Wing Commander said he hopes to see them off the ground in the next six months. "Just staying within just a couple miles within the airfield here to work out the procedures and to get the FAA controllers comfortable with the operations. And once we're comfortable with that, we'll work our way out further," said Col. Greg Semmel.