Boeing Phantom Works’ MQ-25 unmanned aerial vehicle prototype is
powered by a single, 9,000lb-thrust Rolls-Royce AE3007N turbofan, Boeing
disclosed on 5 April.
The aerospace manufacturer said the engine has
powered its prototype on tarmac manoeuvres meant to simulate the sort of
taxiing the drone would be expected to perform on an aircraft carrier deck,
such as lining up to be rigged for a catapult launch. The aircraft hasn’t flown
yet; a feat Boeing said it will not attempt until after the US Navy awards the
programme contract in September.
Boeing touted the AE3007N as a proven powerplant for
its MQ-25 tanker drone, pointing out the engine’s use on the Northrop Grumman
MQ-4C Triton and RQ-4 Global Hawk.
The engine disclosure comes as Boeing attempts to
make its case that its reliance on the proven turbofan and the investment the
company has made in developing a functional prototype makes its unmanned aerial
vehicle a less risky bet for the US Navy compared to rivals Lockheed Martin and
General Atomics Aeronauticall Systems, each which have opted to not build
physical aircraft before the programme is awarded.
“I think what makes it unique is it is built. We’ve
already demonstrated a lot of the functionality,” said Don Gaddis, Boeing
Phantom Works MQ-25 programme director. “The deck handling, the software, the
mission computer, the vehicle management system, the Rolls-Royce engine, we’ve
already demonstrated a lot of this stuff. We’ve done almost everything short of
flying.”
Boeing started building its MQ-25 in 2012 and
finished its first iteration in 2014 under US Navy’s Unmanned Carrier-Launched
Airborne Surveillance and Strike programme, Gaddis added.
The aircraft retains long thin wings meant
originally for the long-endurance requirements of the UCLASS programme. The
company found it unnecessary to change the design after studying the issue,
Gaddis said. The wingspan of the Boeing MQ-25 remains undisclosed, though Gaddis
said when the wings are folded the plane shrinks to the size of a Super Hornet.
(Evangle Luo of TTFLY shared with you)
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