Trio tussle over LANCA demonstrator contract

摘要

Three bidders have been selected to pursue a UK contract to build and fly a lightweight affordable novel combat aircraft (LANCA) demonstrator. Such a transonic unmanned vehicle could potentially one day be used in coordination with assets such as the Eu-rofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 or Tempest future combat air system. Blue Bear, Boeing Defence UK and a Black Dawn team - including Bombardier Aerospace's Belfast unit and Northrop Grumman UK - will contest the requirement. A model of a notional LANCA airframe was displayed as part of an exhibit for the Royal Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office at the show. Following a one-year development phase, at least one bidder will be selected to build and fly a demonstrator, says Peter Stockel, innovation autonomy challenge lead at the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. "Our aim is to get something in the air before 2023," he adds.