General Atomics Sea Avenger

Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) Vehicle

United States | 2020

"The General Atomics Sea Avenger is a navalized version of the land-based Avenger offering and intended to complete for the US DoD UCLASS program."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/22/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image courtesy of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Incorporated marketing material; All Rights Reserved.

The United States Navy's "Unmanned, Carrier-Launched, Airborne Surveillance and Strike" (UCLASS) program was launched to deliver a viable, carrier-based UAV combat system capable of working in concert with existing naval aircraft and systems. The UCLASS vehicle is expected to take on a myriad of roles once reserved for manned aircraft systems including intelligence gathering, aerial reconnaissance, targeting and light strike capabilities. The UCLASS program is expected to announce a contract sometime in the third quarter of fiscal year 2015.

To that end, General Atomics, recognized worldwide by its popular "Predator" series of unmanned aircraft, has begun development of a demonstrator in the mold of their emerging Avenger line ("Predator C") for the United States Air Force. This new variant has been called "Sea Avenger" and is expected to be dimensionally larger than its land-based predecessor, appropriately modified for the rigors of at-sea operation. The aircraft will make use of a jet engine buried within the contours of its fuselage and stealth characteristics will be applied where possible. Additionally, a sensor package will be retractable into the fuselage for stealth and communications will be handled via satellite - coordinated with existing USN systems and hardware. The enlarged nature of the Sea Avenger will also promote greater internal volume for larger munitions than seen in the Avenger product. Beyond its internal weapons bays, the drone will feature external hardpoints as well and one concept is of a "buddy" in-flight refueling aircraft to serve accompanying fighters.

A highly optimistic design at this stage, the Sea Avenger will compete against offerings from Lockheed and perhaps Northrop and Boeing in attempting to come in at/under cost and offer the required endurance and mission capabilities. The Northrop offering is expected to be formed from their existing X-47B carrier-based demonstrator. The Lockheed submission is known as the "Sea Ghost" with the Boeing model possibly emerging from their "Phantom Ray" endeavor.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the General Atomics Sea Avenger Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) Vehicle.

1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545B turbofan engine developing 6,400 lb of thrust (estimated).
Propulsion

463 mph
745 kph | 402 kts
Max Speed

59,990 ft
18,285 m | 11 miles
Service Ceiling

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the General Atomics Sea Avenger Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) Vehicle.

1
(MANNED)
Crew

55.0 ft
16.76 m
O/A Length

75.0 ft
(22.86 m)
O/A Width

29,983 lb
(13,600 kg)
MTOW

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the General Atomics Sea Avenger Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) Vehicle .

Internal weapons bay for air-to-surface guided/homing missiles or precision-guided drop bombs.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the General Atomics Sea Avenger family line.

Sea Avenger - Base Series Designation

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the General Atomics Sea Avenger. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 1 Units
Contractor(s): General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Incorporated - USA

[ United States ]

Relative Max Speed

Hi: 500mph

Lo: 250mph

Aircraft Max Listed Speed (463mph).

Graph Average of 375 MPH.

Era Crossover

Showcasing Aircraft Era Crossover (if any)

Max Alt Visualization

Production Comparison

1

36183

44000

Entry compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian) total production.

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

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Aviation Timeline

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Image of the General Atomics Sea Avenger

Mission Roles
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to airborne requirements.

GROUND ATTACK

RECONNAISSANCE

X-PLANE

UNMANNED

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The General Atomics Sea Avenger Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) Vehicle appears in the following collections:

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