USSOCOM advances Leidos’ Bronco II aircraft to the next phase of development
Leidos has been awarded a contract in the next phase of the US Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) Armed Overwatch aircraft prototype programme.
The Leidos team will advance its new aircraft, Bronco II, to the Phase III Operational Prototype Demonstration fly-off.
USSOCOM selected Leidos as the prime contractor to compete for the final phase of the Armed Overwatch contract.
The contract requires demonstrating a new prototype system evaluated against well-defined criteria.
Bronco II is a rugged, affordable and sustainable multi-mission aircraft that has been built to meet the specific needs of special operations forces.
It has been designed to ‘roll-on, roll-off' standards and can be rapidly disassembled, transported and reassembled in the field by a small crew.
It can be reassembled in the field in less than 12 hours.
It features modular mission systems to enable rapid system changes, updates, additions, integration and removal.
Mission flexibility is a Bronco II hallmark. It can be reconfigured, while remotely deployed, in less than two hours.
The aircraft can be equipped with a number of different payloads, such as ELINT, medical supplies, resupplies, fuel drums and airdrops.
More from Air Warfare
-
NATO progresses effort to replace E-3A AWACS fleet
NATO’s E-3A AWACS fleet has been scheduled for retirement from 2035. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has been leading the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) project to develop new options for future surveillance and control capabilities, based on future technology and requirements.
-
Singapore’s H225M and CH-47F helicopters attain full operational capability
Both helicopter types will provide a step change in Singapore’s helicopter lift capability.
-
US Air Force plan to retire 1,000 aircraft leads Congress to raise national security concerns
The US Air Force has planned to retire more than 1,000 helicopters and AEW&C, combat, ISR, transport and training aircraft that have been in service for more than 30 years.