Some personal observations on the X-47B... 1. It is only a technology demonstrator, but it has more 'operational' design features built into it than any tech demonstrator I've ever seen. The Navy really wanted to get a lot of detailed 'how are we going to make it work' knowledge out of the program.
2. Unless the final requirements for the follow-on program to build a fielded system change greatly, this is Northrop Grumman's program to lose. While all the output data of this program will be made available to all viable competitors who bid, there is no substitute for having a team with all the first hand knowledge already assembled. You can't capture all the important information needed to succeed on paper.
3. The Navy needs to get some of the FCS redundancy design in the X-47 into the BAMS. (just sayin')
4. Whatever the follow-on program produces, it will still be only the first step on a long journey that will take several generations of developments, and still may never make the manned combat aircraft 'obsolete'.
This really is an historic moment. I look forward to sitting back and watching what develops from this into a future platform.
ReplyDeleteas do i. i can't wait for your post on the subject. hopefully soon.
DeleteI'm actually putting something together now. Tomorrow of the next day it should be up.
DeleteSome personal observations on the X-47B...
ReplyDelete1. It is only a technology demonstrator, but it has more 'operational' design features built into it than any tech demonstrator I've ever seen. The Navy really wanted to get a lot of detailed 'how are we going to make it work' knowledge out of the program.
2. Unless the final requirements for the follow-on program to build a fielded system change greatly, this is Northrop Grumman's program to lose. While all the output data of this program will be made available to all viable competitors who bid, there is no substitute for having a team with all the first hand knowledge already assembled. You can't capture all the important information needed to succeed on paper.
3. The Navy needs to get some of the FCS redundancy design in the X-47 into the BAMS. (just sayin')
4. Whatever the follow-on program produces, it will still be only the first step on a long journey that will take several generations of developments, and still may never make the manned combat aircraft 'obsolete'.