2023-08-20 07:07:00
US Army Contracts Advanced Technologies and Sierra Technical Services to Develop Advanced Target UAV
The US Army is looking to equip itself with a sophisticated target UAV that will simulate enemy fighter planes and their anti-aircraft capabilities. This move comes as a response to the growing threat posed by Chinese J-20 and Russian SU-57 fighter jets. The goal is to develop a large UAV, similar in size to a fighter plane, that will enable the military to practice intercepting enemy aircraft.
The companies ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES and SIERRA TECHNICAL SERVICES have been awarded a contract worth $77 million to develop the Matra UAV (5GAT), according to reports from WAR ZONE and ‘Aviation Week’. This contract marks a significant step in the US military’s effort to enhance its training and interception capabilities.
Large target UAVs have been utilized by the US military in the past for training and intercepting air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. However, a previous model developed by Sierra crashed, leading to a halt in its development. With this new contract, the US military aims to revive the project and create a modern target UAV that can carry various types of missiles, sensors, LA suits, and electronic countermeasures. Additionally, the tool will possess stealth characteristics to mimic the capabilities of the enemy aircraft.
Both companies understand the importance of reflecting the diverse threats present in air combat arenas today and in the future. Furthermore, the target UAV needs to be relatively affordable, as it will often be destroyed during training and will not return to its operators on the ground.
The development of an advanced target UAV will provide the US Army with a crucial training tool to prepare its forces for combat scenarios against formidable adversaries. By simulating enemy fighter planes and their anti-aircraft capabilities, the military can refine its strategies and enhance its defensive tactics.
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