The Northrop Grumman company presented a new concept of the unmanned aerial vehicle Model 437, which is aimed at participating in the Skyborg program of the US Air Force and other international projects. The UAV is based on the previous Model 401 Sierra model, which was developed as «demonstrator of technologies of low-cost production», informs Fight Global.
Model 437 will be considered a cheap enough drone to lose in battle and quickly replace the device. Northrop Grumman also participates in the British LANCA light combat aircraft program, but notes that the work on the Model 437 is not related to this program, despite the external similarity of the machines.
The Model 437 will be able to carry more cargo and fuel, and will also have landing gear for takeoff and landing from short runways or even a straight stretch of road. This feature sets it apart from the competing XQ-58A Valkyrie, which does not need a runway, using rockets for launch and a parachute for landing.
Northrop Grumman Company plans to develop and produce the Model 437, taking into account the possibility of creating several hundred such aircraft at a fairly low price. In the prospect, the drone will cost $ $5 to $ 6 million per unit.
Recently, we told that the US defense industrial complex is developing for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, an inexpensive high-precision aviation ERAM ammunition. It will allow hitting the targets of the Russian occupiers at a distance of up to 400 km. ERAM will be launched from aviation platforms and will be able to develop speeds of up to 200 m/s. Its flight range will be 250 nautical miles, which is equivalent to 463 km.