Buckle up, folks, because the future of air combat just hit warp speed! Kelley Aerospace, a Singapore-based company, has unveiled the Arrow, a supersonic unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that’s making waves in the defense world. Based in Singapore’s Seletar Aerospace Park, Kelley Aerospace specializes in UAVs and advanced carbon fiber components. Besides the Arrow, they also produce the Black Eagle UAV. The company began developing its unmanned combat air vehicle in 2012, with a test flight in Israel in 2014.
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Here’s the lowdown on this game-changing drone:
Speed Demon: The Arrow can reach speeds of up to Mach 2.1, which is faster than the speed of sound. According to Kelley Aerospace, the Arrow overcomes issues of speed and reach.
Long Range: Don’t let the speed fool you; this drone can fly more than 2,600 nautical miles (4,810 km) with a maximum take-off weight of 16,800kg.
Mission Flexibility: The Arrow isn’t just a one-trick pony. It can handle air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, plus intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance tasks.
Stealthy Design: The Arrow is designed with a reduced radar cross-section and infrared signature to help it sneak through enemy defenses. Its carbon fiber monocoque design also gives it “outstanding strength and stiffness.”
Team Player: Manned aircraft can control multiple Arrow UCAVs, each with its own mission, equipment, and weapons. It can also be launched autonomously or controlled remotely.
Affordable Edge: Priced between $9 million and $16 million, the Arrow offers a relatively low-cost option for a supersonic UCAV, allowing for more airframes to be purchased for high-risk missions.
Pre-Orders: Even though it’s still in the prototype stage, Kelley Aerospace says it’s already received 100 pre-orders for the Arrow.
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The Ultimate Wingman
The Arrow UCAV is designed to work with manned aircraft as a “force multiplier” on the battlefield. It can act as bait for missiles, engage enemy fighters, or jam enemy communications. According to Kelley Aerospace, the drone is designed for missions “in highly contested territories.”
With its speed, stealth, and versatility, the Arrow UCAV is poised to redefine air dominance and shake up the future of aerial warfare.
