Washington [US], October 22: The defense industry calls the jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) the Joint Combat Aircraft (CCA), with the expectation that it will completely change the face of air combat in the future.
CCAs are jet UAVs , and can be considered as auxiliary forces of manned fighters, with the ability to support the pilot's mission in many different ways, according to the aviation magazine The Aviationist on October 20.
Several defense contractors are developing CCAs, and it may only be a matter of time before the new aircraft are deployed. Most of these aircraft are designed for air forces, including the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and soon the U.S. Navy.
Contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) confirmed that it has won a contract from the US Navy for the conceptual design development project of the CCA, the aircraft that will become part of the future Carrier Air Wing.
Regarding the needs of the navy, specifically the US Navy, the CCA line of this force will need to be capable of performing all tasks similar to other versions, taking on the role of a remote sensor platform, a remote-controlled combat platform and even a decoy for the enemy.
The US Navy requires the CCA line to have a modular design, meaning it can be easily reconfigured and upgraded, depending on needs and technical developments over time.
Unlike current USAF UAVs, the CCA will have to be equipped with the capability to support air and carrier-based operations.
The CCA's primary missions will be to reduce risk to manned fighters, support and enhance the effectiveness of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, and act as a "loyal teammate" to sixth-generation fighters under development.
General Atomics has not yet specified the type of UAV it might propose to the US Navy, but the company has a number of options available.
First up is the YFQ-42A, one of two unmanned jet fighters that the USAF tested earlier this year. Its primary role is to enhance the capabilities of the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning, and the F-47 currently in development.
The second option is the Gambit 5, the latest in a line of future CCAs called the Gambit Series. This is a model specifically designed for carrier operations and therefore more easily meets the needs of the US Navy.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
