The Pentagon has just released the latest Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Roadmap, laying out the development strategy for the next 25 years.
The document is well over 200 pages long, and has plenty of cool pictures. I'm just starting to pour over everything, but here are some of the highlights:
- Name changed from UAV (vehicle) to UAS (system)
- Number one goal is developing unmanned fighters
- 2010: Electronic supression of enemy air defenses (EA-6B)
- 2015: Penetrating deep-strike missions (F-117)
- 2020: Mid-air refueling tankers (KC-10 & KC-135)
- 2025: Air-to-air combat (F-15)
- 2030: Airlift (C-17 & C-130)
- 2030: Air superiority (F-22)
- Roadmap includes detailed specs on current & near future UAVs
I'll post more when I get a chance to dig into this thing further. Addtional coverage is available at DefenseNews.com.
Now if only the DoD took a fraction of the money spent on the F-22 Raptor and F-35 JSF programs and put it towards UAVs...
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