Model 437 Vanguard Loyal Wingman
There is a tendency in military aviation to replace the super-expensive manned aircraft of the "next" generation with simpler and much cheaper attack drones.
Another confirmation of this is the testing of Northrop Grumman's prototype Model 437 aircraft, which began on August 29 at the Mojave base in California.
Model 437 Vanguard Loyal Wingman
Model 437 — development of the Model 401 concept. It was embodied by two aircraft Phobos and Deimos, which first took to the air seven years ago. The ultimate goal of Northrop Grumman specialists is to create a multi—purpose inexpensive attack drone, which, if necessary, can be sacrificed in battle, instead of, for example, the F-22 or F-35. The wingspan of the Model 437 is 12 m, the length is 12 m. It is equipped with a Pratt & Whitney 535 engine, take—off weight — 4,500 kg, payload — 900 kg (these are two AIM 120 missiles), flight range - 5,550 km. The flight life is 6 hours. In terms of its characteristics, it is close to the Avenger UAV of General Atomics. More detailed information is classified.
Model 437 Vanguard Loyal Wingman
Alexander Ageev
