Airbus has developed an unmanned LOAD fighter jet to combat attack UAVs

 

 LOAD

Unmanned aerial vehicles for strike purposes pose an obvious threat that requires a response. Various means and methods of combating such UAVs are being developed and proposed, including the most interesting ones. For example, the European corporation Airbus recently presented the first materials on the project of the unmanned fighter aircraft LOAD. This UAV will have to intercept aerial targets and hit them with light air-to-air missiles.

One of the main innovations from Airbus was the layout of a promising interceptor drone called LOAD (Low-Cost Air Defense — "Low-cost air defense"). This product is designed to combat attack UAVs or other means of air attack and is in fact the answer to one of the main modern challenges.

It is reported that the new LOAD interceptor was developed based on an existing serial UAV. By replacing some components and introducing new systems, including weapons, the serial drone turned into a fighter. At the same time, the main flight performance characteristics remained at the same level.

In the near future, Airbus plans to conduct full-scale tests of the new drone to confirm its design characteristics. Both the entire interception complex and its individual components, including air-to-air missiles, will be tested.

After successful testing of the new sample, the development corporation plans to bring it to the market. The UAVs will be offered to potential customers who want to strengthen their air defense and provide protection not only from "traditional" aerial targets, but also from modern threats.

Airbus is already developing various options for the development of the LOAD project, aimed at improving basic parameters and expanding combat capabilities. In particular, it is proposed to increase the transported ammunition, which, in turn, should improve the combat qualities of the drone.

However, the timing of the full implementation of the project and full market entry remains unknown. Using a ready-made platform will reduce the development time of a new project, but other components may have a negative impact.

The LOAD interceptor was created on the basis of the Do-DT25 unmanned target, designed to train anti-aircraft crews. The Do-DT25 product was originally developed by EADS, but later passed on to Airbus Corporation. It has been mass-produced for a long time, and by now more than 2,500 such UAVs have been produced. It is noted that the target drone is one of the most widespread samples of Airbus products.

During the redesign of the unmanned target in the interceptor, some changes were made to the original airframe and control system. The remaining components and assemblies, apparently, corresponded to the goals of the new project and did not require modification or replacement. This approach to the design of a new drone has allowed us to preserve the overall appearance and some of the characteristics. At the same time, LOAD received fundamentally new features.

The LOAD UAV, like its predecessor, is built according to a normal aerodynamic scheme. It has a spindle-shaped fuselage, a mid-mounted wing with a slight sweep and a T-shaped tail. At the base of the tail is a gargrot with a built-in air intake.

The size of the interceptor has not yet been announced. However, it is known that the Do-DT25 target has a length of about 3.1 m and a wingspan of about 2.5 m. LOAD is unlikely to have fundamentally different dimensions.

The LOAD product retains the turbojet power plant of its predecessor. With its help, the device will be able to reach speeds of more than 550 km / h and stay in the air for at least an hour. The combat radius is determined by means of communication and is currently limited to 100 km. If necessary, the duration and range of the flight can be increased due to the outboard fuel tank.

It is not yet known which control system the new UAV will receive. The traditional combination of autopilot and remote control is likely to be used. Such a system will be able to perform some tasks independently, and in other cases, operator intervention will be required. In particular, it is the person who will give the command to use weapons.

The LOAD drone can be equipped with optoelectronic detection devices. Also, the possibility of using a lightweight small-sized radar cannot be excluded. In both cases, this will allow you to get an overview of the front hemisphere and ensure the search for aerial targets.

LOAD will hit aerial targets with guided missiles. The type of these products has not yet been specified. The combat characteristics that can be obtained with such weapons also remain unknown. So far, the promotional materials for the project depict only average hypothetical rockets, but not real samples.

Mock-ups of the interceptor drone were demonstrated with a pair of missiles under the wing. At the same time, the development organization claims that in the future, the UAV's ammunition supply may increase. Probably, a third suspension point will be organized under the fuselage and, possibly, additional points will appear under the wing.

The Do-DT25 target drone takes off from a rail catapult. The fit of this product is not normally provided for. Apparently, LOAD will also use a launch catapult, but it will receive some means for landing — a parachute or even a full-fledged landing gear.

As far as we know, the new LOAD project is still under development, and the final appearance of the unmanned interceptor has not yet been determined. However, the project is expected to be completed in the near future, and the finished sample will be shown at one of the next exhibitions. Time will tell whether he will be able to interest potential customers.