FJ33 turbofan is the possible engine (unit cost $44k).
Details are scarce, probably for reasons of security. But I expect hundreds of production series aircraft to be delivered by 2021.
It's unclear if this is the non-stealthy UTAP-22 or the stealthy Valkyrie, but my guess is they're basically the same aircraft, just one version is stealthy, which suggests a 70% production line commonality.
Seeing as the basic aircraft is very simple, basically a cruise missile, a single production facility could produce hundreds of aircraft per year, and then offer stealth as an upgrade for a small increase in delivery time and cost.
I imagine the non-stealthy UTAP-22 model could drop in price to as low as $1 million a piece.
Another Russian drone under development. I had known about Altair and Orion-E, but I'm not sure if anyone has heard of Sirus before. (The article stupidly claims it is powered by a turbojet when it is clearly a turboprop)
Posts: 593
By: Sanem - 25th August 2019 at 16:31 Permalink
Kratos Valkyrie pre-series models said to be delivered by the end of the year, 20-30 for the USAF, and another 10 for unspecified clients: https://www.defence24.pl/zamowienie-na-valkyrie-jeszcze-w-tym-roku
FJ33 turbofan is the possible engine (unit cost $44k).
Details are scarce, probably for reasons of security. But I expect hundreds of production series aircraft to be delivered by 2021.
It's unclear if this is the non-stealthy UTAP-22 or the stealthy Valkyrie, but my guess is they're basically the same aircraft, just one version is stealthy, which suggests a 70% production line commonality.
Seeing as the basic aircraft is very simple, basically a cruise missile, a single production facility could produce hundreds of aircraft per year, and then offer stealth as an upgrade for a small increase in delivery time and cost.
I imagine the non-stealthy UTAP-22 model could drop in price to as low as $1 million a piece.
Posts: 333
By: XB-70 - 5th September 2019 at 14:59 Permalink
Another Russian drone under development. I had known about Altair and Orion-E, but I'm not sure if anyone has heard of Sirus before. (The article stupidly claims it is powered by a turbojet when it is clearly a turboprop)
https://www.defenseworld.net/news/25385/Russia_Unveils_its_Biggest_Ever_Drone_to_Compete_with_US_Global_Hawk#.XXETAuR8CUk
Posts: 5,905
By: TomcatViP - 27th October 2019 at 22:18 Permalink - Edited 28th October 2019 at 16:14
General Atomics To Weaponize French MQ-9 Combat Drones
Posts: 5,905
By: TomcatViP - 1st November 2019 at 12:48 Permalink
Yemeni rebels claim they have shot down a US-made drone
http://m.startribune.com/yemeni-rebels-claim-they-have-shot-down-a-us-m…