Boeing said Thursday two X-45A Joint Unmanned Combat Air System unmanned aircraft “responded brilliantly” when pushed to their limits in a combat exercise flown out of Edwards AFB, Calif. The test required the duo autonomously to determine the best route and face pop-up threats as they identified and destroyed SAM systems. In the works: the X-45C, slated for flight testing in 2007.
U.S. Air Forces Central has awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract worth up to $270 million to a California-based company to provide an ultra-long range, solar-powered drone capable of 75 hours of flight.