Kratos UTAP-22 Mako

Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)

United States | 2020

"The Kratos UTAP-22, formed from the BQM-167A aerial target, is being developed as a swarm UAV for the USAF."

Image from official Kratos marketing material.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Kratos UTAP-22 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

1 x Turbojet engine of unknown make, model, and thrust output.
Propulsion

699 mph
1,125 kph | 607 kts
Max Speed

50,033 ft
15,250 m | 9 miles
Service Ceiling

1,616 miles
2,600 km | 1,404 nm
Operational Range

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Kratos UTAP-22 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

0
(UNMANNED)
Crew

20.1 ft
6.13 m
O/A Length

10.5 ft
(3.20 m)
O/A Width

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Kratos UTAP-22 Mako Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) .

Up to 550lb of external and internal precision drop-ordnance (guided bombs). This includes up to 100lb under each wing element and an internal hold supporting up to 350lb.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Kratos UTAP-22 Mako family line.

UTAP-22 - Base Series Designation

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/08/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Kratos Unmanned Systems Division is working with the United States Air Force to perfect a "swarm" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) based on the company's BQM-167A aerial drone. The BQM-167A is described as a high-performance, remotely-piloted aerial target designed to mimic the capabilities of modern enemy aircraft for fighter pilots-in-training. The product is manufactured by Composite Engineering, Incorporated (since acquired by Kratos) from carbon fibers. Take-off is accomplished by rocket-assist and recovery is by parachute so the air vehicle does not require the facilities of a prepared runway (and the costs involved with it). The resulting aircraft is designated UTAP-22 ("Unmanned Tactical Aerial Platform-22").

As designed, the system is seen as a swarm UAV to be used in limited conjunction with manned aircraft, overwhelming target areas through sheer numbers while striking with precision-guided munitions (held externally and internally). The drones are high-speed, high-performance units and come at a lower per-unit cost when compared to manned strike platforms. As such, the drones can be made in greater numbers and expended during a mission if need be and there is a reduced risk to pilots engaging over contested airspaces.

The UTAP-22 was showcased in a swarm demonstration over China Lake in late-2015 as a McDonnell Douglas AV-8B "Harrier" jump jet was used in the lead. Plans are underway to feature a broader exhibition of this swarm concept.

The UTAP-22 is designed with an underslung engine installation, slightly swept-back wing mainplanes and a traditional single-finned tail unit. The fuselage is missile-like, borrowing much from the original BQM-167A in terms of its shape. The war load will reach 550lb of externally- and internally-held munitions - up to 100lb under each wing and 350lb in a bomb bay. Listed performance specs include a maximum speed of 1,125 kmh, a service ceiling of 15,250 meters, and a range out to 2,600 kilometers. The airframe measures a length of 6.13 meters and the wingspan is 3.2 meters.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

May 2017 - Kratos has officially named its UTAP-22 vehicle the 'Mako'.

March 2019 - Kratos is expecting a first-flight of its Mako drone product for sometime in the second quarter of 2019.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Kratos UTAP-22 Mako. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 2 Units
Contractor(s): Kratos Unmanned Systems Division - USA

[ Untied States (possible) ]

1 / 1

Image from official Kratos marketing material.

Going Further...
The Kratos UTAP-22 Mako Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) appears in the following collections:

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