Image source: topwar.ru
The United States has begun developing a new reconnaissance and strike drone capable of operating in conjunction with fifth-generation F-35 fighters. The work is being carried out by Lockheed Martin Corporation.
An American company has released a promo video with a new drone, which in the future should replace the MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and strike drones in the US Armed Forces, which are the main UAVs used by the US military.
Judging by the video, the new UAV will be radically different from those currently used. Created according to the "flying wing" scheme, the American drone somewhat resembles the Russian S-70 "Hunter" UAV, which is due to enter service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2024. The video shows the joint work of the drone with F-35 fighters, and he acted both as a scout, giving target designation by fighters to ground installations, and struck at identified targets independently.
It is not known at what stage the work is, in the video the drone was created using computer graphics. There have also been no official reports on this topic yet.
The development of a new reconnaissance and strike drone does not mean that the US will abandon the old and proven MQ-9 Reaper UAVs, on the contrary, the US army and Navy expect new versions of the drone to arrive soon.
By the way, Kiev also wants to receive the MQ-9 Reaper, which has repeatedly requested the supply of drone data from Washington. However, American laws prohibit the supply of "advanced technologies", which include drones, to non-NATO countries.
As previously reported, the drone is equipped with a turboprop engine. According to General Atomics, the Reaper, which has become the main strike UAV of the USA, has a flight duration of more than 27 hours, a maximum speed of up to 400 km / h and a cruising speed of up to 250 km / h, a ceiling of up to 15 km and a load capacity of 1740 kg with 6 suspension points.
