Alenia Aermacchi Sky-X
| Sky-X | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sky-X at Paris Air Show 2007 | |
| Role | Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle |
| Manufacturer | Alenia Aeronautica |
| First flight | 29 May 2005 |
| Primary user | Research prototype |
| Number built | 1 |
The Alenia Aeronautica Sky-X is a self-financed Unmanned combat air vehicle for demonstration and research purpose; on May 29, 2005 it became the first European-designed UAV in the over 1000 kg category to fly with success.[1]
Design and development
The roll-out of the Sky-X was carried out by Alenia in May 2003 and, after 18 months of development, it first flew at the Swedish test area of Vidsel.
After a first test campaign cunducted with ground control in order to explore the whole flight envelope the development has focused on the autonomous flight systems, in particular the ATOL system (Assisted take off and landing), the collision avoidance, the precision autonomous navigation, the sight autonomous landing and attack and the autonomous formation fly capabilities. In 2008 the Sky-X demonstrated the capability of carrying out the join-up maneuvers necessary for in-fly refueling with an Alenia C-27J.[2]
Thanks to the technologies developed for the Sky-X in 2005 Alenia Aeronautica has joined the nEUROn European program with a consistent development share.[3]
Specifications (Sky-X)
General characteristics
- Crew: none
- Length: 19 ft 7 in (7.8 m)
- Wingspan: 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m)
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)
- Empty weight: 2,204 lb (1,000 kg)
- Loaded weight: 2,645 lb (1,200 kg)
- Max. takeoff weight: 3,196 lb (1,450 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Snecma Microturbo TRI60-268 turbofan, lbf (4.43 kN)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 648 km/h (350 kn)
- Cruise speed: 482 km/h (260 kn)
- Service ceiling: 25,000+ ft (7,260+ m)
Armament
None (ISR)