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Cue Top Gun soundtrack remix: "Take my job away"
US unmanned carrier fighter contract announced
The US Navy has chosen a builder for its new unmanned carrier fighter demonstrator, awarding a $635 million contract to Northrop Grumman.
Northrop, partnered with Lockheed, is expected to develop its existing X-47. This is a stealth jet which will fly 3,500 nautical miles without in-flight refueling, double that of normal carrier aircraft.
The current Navy program doesn't call for weapons, but the X-47 could be upgraded to carry ordnance with very little effort should the Navy ask.
Specs
* Crew: none
* Length: 19 ft 7 in (8.50 m)
* Wingspan: 19 ft 6 in (8.47 m)
* Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)
* Empty weight: 3,836 lb (1,740 kg)
* Loaded weight: 4,877 lb (2,212 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 5,903 lb (2,678 kg)
* Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney F100-220 (X-45B) turbofan, 3,190 lbf (14.2 kN)
Performance
* Maximum speed: "high subsonic"
* Cruise speed: "high subsonic"
* Range: 1,500+ nm (2,778+ km)
* Service ceiling: 40,000+ ft (12,192+ m)
* Thrust/weight: 0.65
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