Redefining Air Combat

1
Redefining Air Combat

• Dr. Scott K. Thomas
• Department of Mechanical and Materials
  Engineering
• Wright State University

2
Uninhabited Tactical Aircraft

• Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) are used for
  reconnaissance
• UTAs will actually be armed

3
UTA System Concept
Communications Relay
Information Sources
UTA Platforms
Line of Sight Available
UTA Operators
4
Elimination of the Cockpit

• Reduce risk of life
• Improve maneuverability (20 g)
• Decrease weight (5 - 15)
• Optimize shape

5
UTA Operation

• Mostly autonomous
• Humans make critical decisions
• Team flown
• Labor divided