The United States demonstrates another future air warfare: after a small drone is launched, it uses its own missiles to hit air targets

The United States demonstrates another future air warfare: after a small drone is launched, it uses its own missiles to hit air targets

 [Global Network Reporter Zhang Haichao] The United States General Atomic Aviation System (GA-ASI) recently announced the first renderings of the drone prototype named "LongShot": an air-to-air missile is removed from the drone. Launch and hit air targets in the built-in bomb bay. And this "long hook" drone can be launched with other large drones or manned aircraft. This is an imaginative future development vision for drones or unmanned fighters.

The "Long Hook" is a small air-launched drone that also carries its own missiles

According to a report on the "Defense Briefing" website on July 28, General Atomics is developing its "Long Hook" drone prototype under the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract. The plan aims to develop an air-launched UAV system that will be launched from a large UAV or a manned aircraft, while carrying its own air-to-air missiles into the enemy’s airspace. The enemy target fired to strike. This kind of drone can significantly expand the combat range, improve mission efficiency, and reduce the risk of manned fighters.

The company said that before launching an attack wave, the "Long Hook" air-launched drone can conduct a "combat sweep" to avoid putting the combat crew at risk, or it can be launched as a "vanguard" together with a human-driven fighter. attack.

In addition, the "long hook" can also provide powerful new defense capabilities for traditional aircraft such as bombers. For example, the enemy's fighters approached while the own bomber was on the way. The drone allows bomber crews to attack incoming threats without the need to escort or redistribute friendly fighter missions, thereby maintaining their ability to complete missions as planned.

According to the report, the "Long Hook" is currently in the preliminary design stage, and a full-scale "Long Hook" air-launched UAV demonstration system will be built and tested later in the project. It can be used in combat conditions before, during and during catapult weapons. Then proceed with controlled flight. In addition, General Atomics has previously demonstrated another air-launched UAV that can be deployed from an "unmanned parent machine."

In September 2020, the company said that it has completed the test flight of the Sparrowhawk air-launched drone with the MQ-9 armed drone. Unlike the "Long Hook" which has offensive combat purposes, the "Sparrow Hawk" is used to monitor an area and can return to meet the base platform that launched it.

According to analysis, the "Long Hook" UAV was launched and then launched air-to-air missile operations, showing another vision for unmanned air combat in the future. Behind the powerful functions is a very complex technical system. Its reliability and availability are also needed. Obtain effective test verification.