USAF issues Bandit design contract for UAV-based red air training
Blue Force Technologies is developing a UAV design to support ADAIR/red air training. (Photo: AFRL)
As part of the Bandit programme, Blue Force Technologies will mature a high-performance UAV design for adversary air training with US pilots.
The US Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to Blue Force Technologies to develop a UAV to support adversary air (ADAIR) training missions.
The Bandit programme contract is worth an initial $9 million over 12 months plus options to complete the design and build up to four UAVs, the AFRL announced on 9 March.
A UAV design will fit into a broader autonomy-based system for USAF, USMC and USN pilots to access in ADAIR training, cutting costs in comparison with crewed training.
Blue Force Technologies will mature the vehicle design to critical design level, perform engine ground testing and validate the design of the engine installation under the technical guidance of AFRL subject matter experts.
‘Options under this contract, if exercised, will complete the design and engineering tasks, produce up to four air vehicles and complete initial flight testing,’ the AFRL added.
Alyson Turri, AFRL Bandit programme manager, said: ‘The goal is to develop an unmanned platform that looks like a fifth-generation adversary with similar vehicle capabilities.’
AFRL is coordinating the Bandit program with USAF Air Combat Command and has aligned the UAV development effort in support of the unmanned ADAIR capability.
More from Training
-
![Somalis receive explosive threat reduction training]()
Somalis receive explosive threat reduction training
Training from a consortium led by Allen-Vanguard met UN standards and will equip Somali personnel with skills to detect and dispose of explosive ordnance effectively.
-
![USMC cites aggressor training as vital for future success]()
USMC cites aggressor training as vital for future success
Are plans to bolster USMC aggressor training capability sufficient to address a known shortfall?
-
![Thomas Global Systems to deliver immersive trainers for Australian M1A2 Abrams]()
Thomas Global Systems to deliver immersive trainers for Australian M1A2 Abrams
The new Immersive Tactical Trainers will support Project Land 907 and will allow personnel to train across the whole country.
-
![South Korea to train with Bell 505]()
South Korea to train with Bell 505
The new helicopters will replace decades-old training platforms to train South Korean army and navy pilots.
-
![USAF ACMI pods to undergo encryption upgrade]()
USAF ACMI pods to undergo encryption upgrade
Cubic is to install NSA-certified encryption for its P5 Combat Training System ACMI pods
-
![Production of Red Hawk is on track after first aircraft rollout, says Boeing]()
Production of Red Hawk is on track after first aircraft rollout, says Boeing
The first production-standard T-7A will undergo ground check and flight tests before being handed over to the USAF.
