Bill Carey

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (Navair) is seeking information from industry on radar and antenna solutions that could provide the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft with a “sense and avoid” (SAA) capability it needs to fly in unrestricted airspace with other aircraft. The Navy’s efforts to develop an SAA radar for the Triton thus far “have failed to produce a design that meets performance and manufacturing requirements to successfully implement this critical technology,” Navair stated in a request for information released on November 3.

 


<a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2014-09-24/navy-shifts-mq-4c-tritons-east-coast-adds-functionality">The Navy is moving forward with flight-testing and mission systems integration of the Triton</a>, a maritime derivative of the RQ-4 Global Hawk, with the issue of an airborne collision-avoidance radar unresolved. Last year the service instructed prime contractor Northrop Grumman to stop work on the SAA radar subsystem then under development by subcontractor Exelis. Program officials, including Capt. James Hoke, the Navy’s outgoing Triton program manager, have said that sizing an electronically scanned radar with the power and cooling required in the space available has proved difficult.

 


To perform its mission of maritime persistent surveillance, the Triton “will require worldwide airspace access to include the U.S. National Airspace System, international and foreign airspace,” Navair noted. It must comply with U.S. federal aviation regulations Parts 91.111 and 91.113, which require that pilots of manned aircraft maintain safe separation and remain vigilant to see and avoid other aircraft, as well as Department of Defense policy directive 4540.1, requiring that U.S. aircraft flying over international waters be equipped with an airborne radar to provide safe separation. It must also comply with International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 2, Section 3.2, setting rules for “avoidance of collisions.” The Triton will be equipped with a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (Tcas) transponder and will signal its position by automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B); however, these systems by themselves are not considered sufficient for unmanned aircraft collision avoidance.

 


In its request for information, Navair said it seeks a system that would fit within the size, weight and power constraints of the MQ-4C, but would be modular and scalable to another unmanned aircraft system. The command said it anticipates the radar may require additional data from ground-based radars when the Triton is operating in an airport terminal environment to overcome distortions from ground clutter. “A modular, scalable design, coupled with an incremental development approach, is envisioned,” the command said.

 


Navair requested that interested companies submit white papers describing their technologies by December 18.

 


&nbsp;

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Navy Seeks Industry Ideas for Triton Sense and Avoid Radar

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command released a request for information on sense-and-avoid radar solutions for the MQ-4C Triton on November 3.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Chad Trautvetter

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Four-week strike will affect aircraft deliveries in the fourth quarter

Textron Aviation Ships 41 Bizjets in 3Q Despite Strike

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Flight testing on the first of three Bombardier jets is being conducted in Wichita

Global Starts Flight Tests for German Army Surveillance Role

Sarah Rose

Upgrade aims to enhance performance and reliability

Blackhawk's Upgrade To Increase Power of King Air 360

Jessica Reed

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

The 850 Series SKYscapes Effect Finishes offer a high-performance polyurethane base coat 

Sherwin-Williams Paints the Sky with Coating Upgrades

Curt Epstein

Experts say the market is reaching equlibrium after Covid boost

Aircraft Brokers Enjoying Healthy, Stable Market

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Aircraft

Textron Aviation Ships 41 Bizjets in 3Q Despite Strike

Four-week strike will affect aircraft deliveries in the fourth quarter

Global Starts Flight Tests for German Army Surveillance Role

Flight testing on the first of three Bombardier jets is being conducted in Wichita

Blackhawk's Upgrade To Increase Power of King Air 360

Upgrade aims to enhance performance and reliability

Sherwin-Williams Paints the Sky with Coating Upgrades

The 850 Series SKYscapes Effect Finishes offer a high-performance polyurethane base coat

Aircraft Brokers Enjoying Healthy, Stable Market

Experts say the market is reaching equlibrium after Covid boost

Industry Leaders Share Insights on Scaling AAM Operations

Executives from Lilium, Beta Technologies, Electra, Atlantic Aviation, and Signature Aviation participated in the discussion

Electra Aero's Nine-passenger eSTOL Set for Reveal

Hybrid-electric design works within existing infrastructure

Camp Systems Launches Pricing and Quoting Solutions

SalesEdge Quoting is a web-based module for Quantum and Corridor

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN