Eight Unmanned Combat Aircraft

Graham Warwick

General Atomics Avenger

This 66-ft.-span, 18,200-lb. private-venture Predator C flew in 2009 and later was deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Air Force. A carrier-capable Sea Avenger is proposed for Uclass. Credit: General Atomics Aeronautivcal Systems

Boeing X-45A

First flown in 2002, two of these 49-ft.-span, 12,190-lb. vehicles demonstrated autonomous suppression of enemy air defenses in a Darpa/Air Force program completed in 2006. Credit: Boeing

France/U.K. FCAS

BAE and Dassault are leading French and British industry in a two-year, $300 million-plus feasibility study for a joint unmanned combat aircraft demonstrator to fly early in the 2020s and potentially lead to an operational Future Combat Air System around 2030. Credit: Dassault Aviation

BAE Systems Taranis

Built under a $290 million U.K.-only program, this Hawk-sized, 18,000-lb.-class vehicle first flew in 2013 and completed stealth flights early in 2014, with trials to continue in 2015. Credit: BAE Systems

Northrop Grumman X-47B

Making the first unmanned-aircraft carrier landings and takeoffs in 2013, this 62.1-ft. span, 44,000-lb. vehicle flew in 2011, and will continue testing by the U.S. Navy into 2015. Credit: Northrop Grumman

U.S. Navy Uclass

Start of the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike program has slipped into 2015 amid debate over requirements for a 14-hr. endurance and the ability to maintain a continuous surveillance orbit 1,200 nm from the ship and carry a 1,000-lb. bomb load 2,000 nm. Credit: Lockheed Martin

EADS Barracuda

Flown from 2008 to 2012, this 23.7-ft.-span, 7,165-lb. vehicle was a German/Spanish demonstrator for advanced unmanned aircraft technologies, including cooperating UAVs. Credit: Airbus

Dassault Neuron

First flown in late 2012, this 15,500-lb.-class vehicle is testing stealth technology and sensors. Culmination of the $500 million-plus multinational program is planned for 2015 with weapon drops. Credit: Dassault Aviation

A certain sameness is evident in unmanned combat aircraft flown or planned in the U.S. and Europe—and even China and Russia— a result of an emphasis on stealth with long range and endurance.

Graham Warwick

Graham leads Aviation Week's coverage of technology, focusing on engineering and technology across the aerospace industry, with a special focus on identifying technologies of strategic importance to aviation, aerospace and defense.

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