MBDA team Concept Vision leader and a user representative show the new concept weapons at Farnborough 2010. Photo: Tamir Eshel

MBDA has embarked on an innovative evolution of next generation weapon systems designed to empower future infantry and dismounted warfighters with advanced, yet unavailable capabilities. Ideas for the new concepts were received from MBDA employees Throughout the world, and from military users and veterans. According to Michael Mew, Lead ENgineer for the Concept Visions program, the new weapons could be developed based partly on technologies already available, and could be demonstrated through the upcoming years. ‘This program sets our goals and could challenge our design teams for years to come’ Mew told Defense Update.

The Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle demonstrator successfully completed its first weapons launch during a July 14 flight at Point Mugu Naval Air Weapon Station, Calif. The Silent Eagle launched an inert AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AIM-120 AMRAAM) from its left-side Conformal Weapons Bay, as seen in this video still. Photo: Boeing

Conformal weapons bay for the F-15SE

The Boeing company conducted a first missile firing test from the  conformal weapons bay of the F-15SE ‘Silent Eagle’ on July 14, 2010, a week after the aircraft completed the first flight of this technology demonstrator on July 8, 2010. On the first flight the aircraft, designated F-15E1 took off from the Lambert St. Louis International Airport on an 80-minute flight, where the aircraft opened and closed its left-side Conformal Weapons Bay, which contained an AIM-120 Instrumented Test Vehicle (ITV) missile. “[In this flight] we cleared the desired flight envelope needed to fire the missile at the test range” said Boeing F-15 Chief Test Pilot Dan Draeger. According to Boeing F-15 Development Programs Director Brad Jones, in the next couple of weeks, the F-15E1 will be ferry to a test range to launch an AIM-120.

Key to the F-15SE design is the conformal weapons bays, designed for the F-15SE. This new add-on module was originally designed specifically for the F-15SE but could also be available for other F-15 models, particularly interesting is the F-15E, I K, S and S (F-15E models operated by Israel, South Korea, Saudi-Arabia and Singapore) already operating F-15s with conformal tanks.

The Silent Eagle was developed in response to South Korea’s requirements for high-performance, stealth capable fighter aircraft. The F-15SE offers unique aerodynamic, avionic and Radar Cross Section reduction features that provide maximum flexibility in air dominance as it can be operated with and without stealth capabilities. Boeing is offering the F-15SE with customizable fighter that can be outfitted with AESA radars, radar absorbent coatings, large digital cockpit displays, fly-by-wire software, canted tails and bolt-on internal weapons bays.

According to UPI, Boeing is hoping to win an export license to sell its new F-15 Silent Eagle to South Korea within a month. South Korea has a requirement for a third batch of 60 F-15 size fighters, due next year. Boeing could be offering the F-15SE with customizable fighter that can be outfitted with AESA radars, radar absorbent coatings, large digital cockpit displays, fly-by-wire software, canted tails and bolt-on internal weapons bays.

Boeing performed the first flight of the F-15E1 'Silent Eagle' flight demonstrator on July 8, 2010 Photo: Boeing

Boeing performed the first flight of the F-15E1 'Silent Eagle' flight demonstrator on July 8, 2010 Photo: Boeing

The Boeing company completed the first flight of the F-15SE ‘Silent Eagle’ flight demonstrator on July 8, 2010. The aircraft, designated F-15E1 took off from the Lambert St. Louis International Airport on an 80-minute flight, where the aircraft opened and closed its left-side Conformal Weapons Bay, which contained an AIM-120 Instrumented Test Vehicle (ITV) missile. “[In this flight] we cleared the desired flight envelope needed to fire the missile at the test range” said Boeing F-15 Chief Test Pilot Dan Draeger. According to Boeing F-15 Development Programs Director Brad Jones, in the next couple of weeks, the F-15E1 will be ferry to a test range to launch an AIM-120.

Conformal weapons bay for the F-15SE

Key to the F-15SE design is the conformal weapons bays, designed for the F-15SE. This new add-on module was originally designed specifically for the F-15SE but could also be available for other F-15 models, particularly interesting is the F-15E, I K, S and S (F-15E models operated by Israel, South Korea, Saudi-Arabia and Singapore) already operating F-15s with conformal tanks.

The Silent Eagle was developed in response to South Korea’s requirements for high-performance, stealth capable fighter aircraft. The F-15SE offers unique aerodynamic, avionic and Radar Cross Section reduction features that provide maximum flexibility in air dominance as it can be operated with and without stealth capabilities. Boeing is offering the F-15SE with customizable fighter that can be outfitted with AESA radars, radar absorbent coatings, large digital cockpit displays, fly-by-wire software, canted tails and bolt-on internal weapons bays.

According to UPI, Boeing is hoping to win an export license to sell its new F-15 Silent Eagle to South Korea within a month. South Korea has a requirement for a third batch of 60 F-15 size fighters, due next year. Boeing could be offering the F-15SE with customizable fighter that can be outfitted with AESA radars, radar absorbent coatings, large digital cockpit displays, fly-by-wire software, canted tails and bolt-on internal weapons bays.

A close-up view showing the conformal weapons bay integrated in the conformal fuel tank. Photo: Boeing

The U.S. Army is planning to field upgraded, early production Sky Warrior unmanned systems in Afghanistan in the summer of 2010, to be equipped with improved software, hardware, new Hellfire missiles modified to better operate with unmanned systems. By the end of the year the Army plans to field the first production models of the Sky Warrior, as part of the ER/MP program. Photo: Sgt. Travis Zielinski, 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div., USD-C, U.S. Army

As production of Predator A winding, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) shifts to the production of the new Sky Warrior MQ-1C model designed for the U.S. Army Extended Range/Multi-Purpose (ER/MP) UAS program. The company has received $195.5 million in funding from the U.S. Army, part of an estimated $399 million contract to provide Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) aircraft and supplemental hardware for ER/MP.

The remaining amount expected in the late summer of 2010 will provide for 34 Sky Warrior aircraft, 16 One System Ground Control Stations (OSGCS) made by AAI Corporation, airborne and ground Tactical Control Data Link (TCDL) equipment produced by L-3 Communications West, and various other items to include automatic landing systems, spares, and ground support equipment.

Beginning December 2010, the company is scheduled to deliver over two aircraft a month through the end of 2012. New features being introduced with the Sky Warrior system include the capability to carry four Hellfire missiles, fully autonomous operation, including automatic takeoff and landing and the de-icing capabilities enabling the aircraft to fly through degraded weather conditions. Earlier this summer the Army is planning to field four Sky Warrior aircraft configured with the latest ‘Quick Reaction Capability’ (QRC-2), fitted to carry four new Hellfire AGM-114P+ missiles modified to better perform with unmanned aerial systems. Early models (QRC-1 and Sky Warrior Alpha)  have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2008, and to date have logged over 145,000 flight hours.