Over the past several years, the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has been implementing the Skyborg program with the support of commercial organizations. Its goal is to create a promising multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicle capable of complementing or replacing manned tactical aircraft. Skyborg is now entering the real design phase.
On a new stage
Until early 2019, the Skyborg program was developed by AFRL independently and without the involvement of design organizations. In March last year, they issued a request for information, which became a de facto invitation to participate. At that time, it was supposed to work according to the traditional method. Participating companies had to submit their projects, and AFRL was going to choose the most successful one for further development. In the future, the approaches have changed.
By the end of 2019, AFRL had changed its views and redesigned the program architecture. Now it is proposed to work out in parallel several hardware and software projects with an open architecture - their results can be combined and combined in the development of UAVs. The traditional idea of developing finished products by different contractors has been abandoned.
A key component of the Skyborg program should be UAV control systems with a high degree of autonomy, capable of interacting with a person. On May 18, 2020, Leidos, which has extensive experience in the field of unmanned vehicles, became responsible for this direction.
Almost at the same time, AFRL began accepting finished platform aircraft designs for use in the Skyborg program. It was reported that in early July, the Laboratory will determine the list of contractors and issue contracts for the development of the proposed projects. However, such orders have not yet appeared and the timing of their placement is unknown.
The anticipated contracts will stipulate the development of projects over the next five years. The maximum cost of work per contractor is $ 400 million. It is expected that such contracts will be awarded to all major developers of unmanned vehicles: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Kratos, etc.
Platforms and automation
The Skyborg program provides for the creation of multipurpose UAVs capable of supporting manned aircraft in one way or another or independently performing combat missions. A characteristic feature of such devices will be developed control systems with a high degree of autonomy and elements of artificial intelligence.
One of the program's most interesting ideas is sacrificing survivability for combat effectiveness. UAVs of a new type are initially considered as vulnerable to enemy attacks and “expendable”. The loss of such a product will not be prohibitively expensive and will do without human casualties - but it will be possible to use it in the most difficult and risky situations.
The principle of "consumability" affects the requirements for the design and individual units. In particular, it is proposed to use short-life turbojet engines providing sub- and / or supersonic flight. Such a power plant will give the UAV the desired flight characteristics, but it will be cheap and easy to operate.
Leidos develops universal control equipment for AFRL. This complex should provide control of the UAV in all modes, the solution of various combat missions, etc. It is required to ensure the possibility of independent work, as well as the execution of the commands of the operator or the aircraft-leader.
The widest range of tasks is assumed for Skyborg, which significantly complicates the development of computer systems and software. This leads to new problems. So, the dimensions, weight, power consumption and other parameters of the equipment from Leidos have not yet been determined. Accordingly, the developers of unmanned platforms have to make equipment with a reserve of characteristics.
At the moment, within the framework of the program, it is proposed to make several drones of different looks, but with similar capabilities at once. As possible Skyborg participants, incl. with the most serious prospects, several existing and developing aircraft from several companies are being considered. They will have to carry various equipment and weapons. The use of integrated and suspended radar and optical means is proposed; internal and external suspension, etc. There are no strict requirements in this context yet.
The result of the begun stage of the program will be the emergence of several experienced UAVs from different companies. Using unified control systems, they will differ in other components. Samples of this kind are invited to compare and draw conclusions. Both individual samples and the entire line can be put into series and in operation, depending on the results obtained.
Plans for the future
It is planned to spend about three years on the development, testing and fine-tuning of several projects. Already in 2023, AFRL is going to begin the implementation of ready-made samples in the Air Force units. In the future, in the absence of serious difficulties, a broader development of this technique is possible with obtaining real results, incl. in a combat situation.
It is assumed that the Skyborg UAVs will be able to work independently and in conjunction with manned aircraft. They will be able to carry out reconnaissance, strike at ground targets or conduct aerial combat - depending on the capabilities of a particular sample and emerging needs.
The fundamental possibility of using UAVs as a radio-controlled target for training pilots or in the form of loitering ammunition is also being considered. The last "function" can be used when developing the resource of the structure or when it is necessary to hit a particularly important target, which the standard weapons cannot cope with.
In general, we are talking about a versatile technology that can complement or replace existing manned aircraft. In this regard, the most daring plans are being built. For example, the Air Force Combat Command is already exploring the possibility of introducing Skyborg into squadron and wing structures. After 2025, such equipment can replace obsolete F-16 fighters. After 2030, similar processes will begin with respect to heavy UAVs of old types.
Timing issues
In recent years, under the AFRL programs, various aircraft manufacturers have developed a number of promising UAVs that can interact with manned aircraft. UAVs of the Loyal Wingman concept are successfully tested and show their potential.
The Skyborg program is based on other ideas, primarily in the area of control systems. At the same time, aircraft manufacturers and AFRL have the opportunity to combine fundamentally new solutions and accumulated experience. The result of this should be the emergence of one or more "slave" UAVs with wide capabilities of various kinds.
The presence of experience and a number of ready-made platforms is a positive factor that can speed up work on a single program. However, its results directly depend on success in creating a unified management system - and then on its integration into existing or developing platforms. Some of these tasks are not particularly difficult, while others may be problematic.
According to current plans, work on Skyborg will last for several more years, and in 2023 the Air Force will begin to master the finished equipment. Whether it will be possible to meet these deadlines is a big question. While it is impossible to exclude a change in the schedule or revision of the objectives of the program. We can only say with confidence that the US Air Force has seriously taken up the topic of unmanned aerial vehicles that can work independently or in conjunction with aircraft. Sooner or later, this interest should lead to the emergence of combat-ready models and rearmament.
