XRQ-73

[chopper2004]

XRQ-73 Hybrid Electrical stealthy UAV emerges

https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2024-06-24


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1920x1080/img_1810_b9c682a1a6985ea4e713ffd0c58e1735745555f9.jpeg

cheers

[unmanned_droid]

According to one of the images in the article the pictured (real) airframe is an intermediate step towards the final configuration, by the looks of it. Not sure I like 4 large ducted fans hanging out on top of the fuselage but its a somewhat worthy effort I guess - mostly helps with signature management - the efflux plumes will be cooler than the equivalent jet exhaust, and burying the turbo generator 'power station(s)' may end up with a better thermal signature than a larger jet engine. It also means you can start playing around with where your systems are in the fuselage - these architectures are much more adapatble - this could open up all the central fuselage space for mission payloads and the turbo generator systems can be widely spaced for survivability, and in places you might not immediately expect.

[ORAC]

The War Zone: https://www.twz.com/air/shadowy-xrq-73-hybrid-electric-stealthy-flying-wing-drone-emerges

Shadowy XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone Emerges


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1920x1080/gho_rendering_usaf_1c9f8b4234e59037bb6620d9c64ad83f6eaefc48. jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1027x378/xrq_72_wing_5ee7d6da1c19ab5d14a17872539c2e06b1027b30.jpg

[Less Hair]

It doesn't look too stealthy with the engines mounted in the open on top.

[unmanned_droid]

That is an intermediate r&d solution - steps 1 and 2. Looks like the photo'd airframe is step 3 (mostly obscured) and step 4 will be the true operational concept.

https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shepard-evolution.jpg

[dagenham]

problem solved

https://www.motionrc.eu/products/freewing-b-2-spirit-bomber-twin-70mm-edf-jet-pnp-fj31711p?variant=39627170250801&currency=EUR&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5uiZnrr2hgMVy5RQBh3frgG-EAQYFyABEgIV3PD_BwE