Det er veldig overraskende at dette viktige elementet for US Navy ikke kan fly i isingsforhold. I forsvarssjefens militærfaglige råd av 2015 var droner et alternativ til MPA, altså Orion. På samme orientering hvor dette ble fremlagt på Akershus Festning, var Global Hawk, altså eldstebroren til Triton, et alternativ. Med andre ord et alternativ som ikke kan fly i isingsforhold. Det ble ikke nevnt med et eneste ord den gang. (Red.)
US Navy MQ-4C Triton Undergoes Anti-Ice Testing at Pax River
The MQ-4C Triton test team conducted the first
flight to assess the unmanned aircraft system’s ability to fly with wing ice
accumulation Jan. 25 at Patuxent River.
This was the first of approximately 15 flights
planned through spring 2023 that will clear Triton to fly in icing conditions.
“Triton’s
ability to fly in icing conditions is a top priority for the fleet,” said Capt.
Josh Guerre, MQ-4C Triton Program Manager. “The greater ability we have to fly
in harsh weather conditions, the more capability we can provide to the fleet.”
In late 2022, the Integrated Test Team (ITT)
installed 3D-printed nylon ice shape blocks designed to simulate ice
accumulation on the wings and V-tail if the aircraft were to fly through
moderate icing. The orange-colored ice shapes are coated with a coarse grit
that makes them textured and rough like ice that accumulates on the inside of a
freezer, said Amanda Marge, MQ-4C Triton lead test engineer.
“The
objective is to verify that there’s sufficient stability and control in order
to remove the restrictions in the flight clearance for flying in icing
conditions – which could significantly increase the fleet’s sortie rate,” she
said.
During the initial flight, the team executed basic
flying qualities maneuvers such as control surface pulses, sideslips, and
sustained turns at 20,000 feet. The team will analyze data from the flight to
confirm that the aircraft responds as predicted to inputs and that the team can
safely proceed with further testing. As flights continue, the average planned
duration for ice shape testing will increase to approximately five hours.
Triton will fly with this simulated ice accumulation
on the wings throughout points in the operational envelope to determine the
impact on aircraft flying qualities and performance. The testing will enable
MQ-4C transits through moderate icing later this year.
“This
timeline will support deployment of the latest MQ-4C multi-intelligence
variant,” Guerre said.
The MQ-4C Triton is a long endurance, high
altitude UAS that provides up to 24 hours of flight time. It is currently
conducting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions overseas.
Source: NAVAIR
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