Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
The Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) is a military aircraft currently under developement of the USA's DARPA.
The UCAV resembles a drone aircraft but a critical difference is that it would be pre-programmed and fly autonomously while being monitored by controllers remotely.
The UCAV, once operational, would employ stealth technologies and carry precision-guided weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) or precision miniature munitions, such as the Small Diameter Bomb to suppress enemy air defenses.
Controllers could use real-time data sources from the satellites to plan for and respond to a dynamically changing battlefield.
If all goes well, the U.S. Air Force could begin fielding UCAVs as early as 2008.
The UCAV is the first unmanned system designed from its inception for combat.
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