U.S. Army Vintage Racer Concept Suggests Hypersonic Entry For Loitering UAS

The "Snark" had essentially the same capabilities at the start of the cold war. It was "pilotless bomber" that promised to be cheaper than bomber crews. Basically, it was a giant cruise missile that could return home if the mission was aborted. The big runway at Cape Canaveral was built specifically for it, because it landed with skids rather than wheels.

It did actually reach operational status but was quickly withdrawn.

Re: U.S. Army Vintage Racer Concept Suggests Hypersonic Entry For Loitering UAS

#5

Post by bootlooped » Wed, Jun 10, 2020, 1:26 AM UTC

blackflame7000 wrote: post #3

noncoml wrote: post #2

Suicide drone? So... a missile?

No, because it can loiter in the air for up to 2 hours in the target area before destroying its target.

A Tomahawk cruise missile can also loiter over the target area.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk_(missile)

Re: U.S. Army Vintage Racer Concept Suggests Hypersonic Entry For Loitering UAS

#6

Post by amiller2571 » Wed, Jun 10, 2020, 1:31 AM UTC

blackflame7000 wrote: post #3

noncoml wrote: post #2

Suicide drone? So... a missile?

No, because it can loiter in the air for up to 2 hours in the target area before destroying its target.

So the difference between a missile and a drone is that one can fly in circles a little long than the other?

Re: U.S. Army Vintage Racer Concept Suggests Hypersonic Entry For Loitering UAS

#7

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jun 10, 2020, 1:32 AM UTC

blackflame7000 wrote: post #3

noncoml wrote: post #2

Suicide drone? So... a missile?

No, because it can loiter in the air for up to 2 hours in the target area before destroying its target.

[deleted]

Re: U.S. Army Vintage Racer Concept Suggests Hypersonic Entry For Loitering UAS

#8

Post by nirav72 » Wed, Jun 10, 2020, 1:33 AM UTC

blackflame7000 wrote: post #3

noncoml wrote: post #2

Suicide drone? So... a missile?

No, because it can loiter in the air for up to 2 hours in the target area before destroying its target.

so it's a next gen Tacit Rainbow? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-136_Tacit_Rainbow

Re: U.S. Army Vintage Racer Concept Suggests Hypersonic Entry For Loitering UAS

#9

Post by pugworthy » Wed, Jun 10, 2020, 1:34 AM UTC

noncoml wrote: post #2

Suicide drone? So... a missile?

If you know your Guardians of The Galaxy lore, think Yondu's Yaka arrows, which are literally called "drone-arrows"

Re: U.S. Army Vintage Racer Concept Suggests Hypersonic Entry For Loitering UAS

#10

Post by whycombagator » Wed, Jun 10, 2020, 1:37 AM UTC

bootlooped wrote: post #5

blackflame7000 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, because it can loiter in the air for up to 2 hours in the target area before destroying its target.

A Tomahawk cruise missile can also loiter over the target area. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk_(missile)

Presumably you can abort mission with a drone and have it return home. Not sure you can do that with a cruise missile.