[ad_1]
Normal Atomics Aeronautical Techniques, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) for the primary time on Feb. 28, 2024. OBSS is an Air Power Analysis Laboratory (AFRL) program and GA-ASI was chosen in 2021 to design, construct and fly the brand new plane.
With flight of the AFRL-funded XQ-67A, GA-ASI has validated the “genus/species” idea first developed with AFRL as a part of the Low-Value Attritable Plane Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) program targeted on constructing a number of plane variants from a standard core chassis.
Below LCAAPS, AFRL and GA-ASI explored the event of a chassis, termed a “genus”, because the foundational core structure from which a number of “species” of plane could be constructed.
“This supplies another acquisition method for navy plane that allows sooner growth, decrease prices and extra alternatives for frequent expertise refresh,” mentioned Trenton White, OBSS Program Supervisor and aerospace engineer in AFRL’s Aerospace Techniques Directorate. “XQ-67A is the primary “species” to be designed and constructed from this shared platform. Flight demonstration of this method is a serious first step towards exhibiting the flexibility to provide reasonably priced fight mass.”
“OBSS is the primary plane kind constructed and flown utilizing a standard core chassis developed by GA-ASI that promotes commonality throughout a number of car varieties,” mentioned GA-ASI Vice President of Superior Packages Michael Atwood.
Distribution Assertion A: Accredited for Public Launch; Distribution is Limitless. PA# AFRL-2024-0708
[ad_2]