Scaled Composites Model 396
Encyclopedia
The Scaled Composites
Model 396 is a derivative of the Northrop Grumman
RQ-4 Global Hawk
aircraft. The Model 396 will be an unmanned combat air vehicle
, and thus will differ from the Global Hawk in carrying a weapons load underneath the fuselage. It will also be about half the size and cost, but will be aerodynamically identical. The Model 396 is competing for USAF
's Hunter-Killer
project, with projected operational ability by 2007. Series production would likely take place in a Northrop Grumman facility.
RQ-4 Global Hawk
Comparable aircraft:
MQ-9 Reaper
Designation sequence:
Model 395
-
Model 396
Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites is an aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan and currently owned by Northrop Grumman that is located at the Mojave Spaceport, Mojave, California, United States...
Model 396 is a derivative of the Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
RQ-4 Global Hawk
RQ-4 Global Hawk
The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle used by the United States Air Force and Navy as a surveillance aircraft....
aircraft. The Model 396 will be an unmanned combat air vehicle
Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
An unmanned combat air vehicle or combat drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that is designed to deliver weapons without an onboard pilot. Currently operational UCAVs are under real-time human control, but future version may enable autonomous operation, for example with pre-programmed route and...
, and thus will differ from the Global Hawk in carrying a weapons load underneath the fuselage. It will also be about half the size and cost, but will be aerodynamically identical. The Model 396 is competing for USAF
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's Hunter-Killer
USAF Hunter-Killer
Hunter-Killer is an unofficial project name based upon an Aviation Week & Space Technology article. When USAF releases an official name, this article will be renamed to suit.The U.S...
project, with projected operational ability by 2007. Series production would likely take place in a Northrop Grumman facility.
External links
- "New Concepts Have Emerged for USAF Unmanned Hunter-Killer Aircraft." Aviation Week & Space TechnologyAviation Week & Space TechnologyAviation Week & Space Technology, often abbreviated Aviation Week or AW&ST, is a weekly magazine owned and published by McGraw-Hill...
. September 19, 2004.
Related content
Related development:RQ-4 Global Hawk
RQ-4 Global Hawk
The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle used by the United States Air Force and Navy as a surveillance aircraft....
Comparable aircraft:
MQ-9 Reaper
MQ-9 Reaper
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle , capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal...
Designation sequence:
Model 395
Scaled Composites Model 395
The Scaled Composites Model 395 is an unmanned air vehicle which is currently under development. It is a derivative of the Scaled Composites Model 281 Proteus aircraft, and is being developed jointly with Northrop Grumman, who is funding the project....
-
Model 396