La Agencia de Defensa Misilística (MDA) de EUA, busca oferentes para el desarrollo de un sistema de Aeronave no tripulada (UAV) armado con Láseres de gran potencia, con la finalidad de disponer de la capacidad de neutralizar la amenaza de los Misiles balísticos intercontinentales (ICBM), que desarrollan y disponen en sus arsenales las grandes potencias. El Proyecto denominado HALE – UAV (High Altitude Long Endurance – UAV), que deberá tener un techo operativo mínimo de 20.000 m y una autonomía de 36 hs, deberá estar armado con un Laser de Gran potencia, capaz de neutralizar Misiles ICBM en su fase de lanzamiento (Boost Phase). El esquema de Defensa Aérea y Misilística “en capas”, actualmente en servicio, se basa en la capacidad de detección de radares y satélites, y en la letalidad de los Misiles propios dispuestos estratégicamente en Mar y Tierra. La incorporación de los sistemas HALE- UAV, agregaría entonces modernas plataformas aéreas autónomas, con capacidad letal para actuar sobre los ICBM. Se estima que el desarrollo podría estar completado alrededor del año 2023.
The United States is looking to field a laser-armed unmanned aircraft to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) towards the middle of the next decade, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) disclosed on 13 June.
In a solicitation posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website, the MDA Advanced Technology Directorate said it requires a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with the payload capacity needed to carry a high-energy laser system payload to high altitudes for Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) of ICBMs in the 2023 timeframe.
«The results of this RFI [request for information] will inform future programme options for maturing BPI technology and capability following the current Low Power Laser Demonstrator (LPLD) effort. Proposed aircraft should be able to maintain continuous positive ground control and are expected to operate from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii and Edwards Air Force Base in California,» the solicitation read.
While the MDA said it was seeking a HALE UAV for this role, it did note that manned concepts will be considered «with the appropriate justification».
Performance specifications listed in the RFI call for the HALE UAV to be able to fly higher than 63,000 ft; to have an endurance of greater than 36 hours on-station (plus flight time for notional 3,000 km transit to station); to be able to fly at a cruise speed of less than Mach 0.45 at on-station altitude; to have a payload capacity of at least 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) and as much as 12,500 lb (5,670 kg); have power available for the payload of at least 140 kW and as much as 280 kW for greater than 30 minutes with no loss in platform altitude; to support a one- to two-metre aperture optical payload; have low vibration at altitude, with angular displacements of less than 50 µrad; and to maintain continuous positive ground control.
Fuente: http://www.janes.com
