Aviation / Aerospace

Textron NightWarden

Multirole Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) [ 2018 ]

The Textron NightWarden was unveiled at Paris Air Show 2017 as a static display and is intended as a multirole performer in the UAS sphere.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/21/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from official Textron Systems marketing material.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]

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The NightWarden is a new Unmanned Air System (UAS) offering presented by Textron Systems. The vehicle is based upon the framework of the proven, existing Shadow (B-model, Version 2) Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) with increased performance and capabilities (it shares up to 70% commonality of parts with the Shadow). It was debuted at Paris Air Show 2017 with an announcement that the product completed prototype-testing and was ready for serial manufacture with delivery possible within twelve months.

As a Class 3 UAV, the NightWarden exhibits capabilities common to Class 4 types but broadens its Class 3 categorization by providing a "multi-mission" approach, able to tackle general Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles as well as direct-attack roles. The latter is made possible by underwing hardpoints fitted to carry current-generation Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASMs) (Hellfire assumed) and a precision delivery system. The NightWarden boasts lower noise signatures than its competitors and can carry a dual-nature payload up to 130lb (or 60lb through the SATCOM variant).

The platform's endurance is listed at 15 hours with an increase to over 18 hours with the installation of an auxiliary fuel tank. The wingspan reaches 22.8 feet. Operational ranges (through the available SATCOM configuration) is 1,100 kilometers. Take-off and landing (as well as taxiing) actions can be fully autonomous. The compact size of the NightWarden allows it to fit comfortably in the belly of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules fixed-wing transport (or similar).

Outwardly, the NightWarden showcases a conventional UAV design layout with straight, fixed wing mainplanes. The fuselage contains the pertinent operational and mission-specific systems including the chin-mounted optics fit, avionics, engine, fuel and payload. A conventionally-powered engine is featured at the rear and drives a multi-bladed propeller unit in pusher configuration. This unit is set between a pair of thin booms leading aft to form the empennage. These are capped by inward-canted vertical tail fins. The undercarriage is wheeled and fixed during flight.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

2018

Origin

United States

Status

IN-DEVELOPMENT
Program in Progress.

Crew

0
UNMANNED

Production

2
UNITS

Textron Systems - USA

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

United States (possible)

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.

✓ Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

✓ Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.

Length

14.8 ft
(4.50 m)

Width/Span

23.0 ft
(7.00 m)

Height

3.9 ft
(1.20 m)

Empty Wgt

243 lb
(110 kg)

MTOW

750 lb
(340 kg)

Wgt Diff

+507 lb
(+230 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Textron NightWarden production variant)

Installed: 1 x Conventional engine at rear of fuselage driving multi-bladed propeller unit in pusher configuration.

Max Speed

127 mph
(205 kph | 111 kts)

Ceiling

16,404 ft
(5,000 m | 3 mi)

Range

684 mi
(1,100 km | 2,037 nm)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Textron NightWarden production variant. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)

Mission payload of up to 130lb. Auxiliary fuel tank optional for 18+ hour range.

OPTIONAL:
2 x Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASMs).

Supported Types

Graphical image of an aircraft air-to-surface missile

Graphical image of an aircraft external fuel tank

(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)

Hardpoint Mountings: 2

NightWarden - Base Series Name.

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Images Gallery

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Image from official Textron Systems marketing material.

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Image from official Textron Systems marketing material.

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Image from official Textron Systems marketing material.

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