Built by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems the Boeing X-45 is part of the J-UCAS project for the next generation of military aircraft that are completely autonomous. It took its first flight on may 22 2002, however there have only been two of these concept demonstrators built. The craft sports a very low profile dorsal intake, a stream line center fuselage, swept lambda wing, no vertical control surface and minuet exhaust. The X-45 was developed using research from the development of the Bird of Prey, however they have eliminated the pilot and requirements of such in favor of autonomous piloting which takes a chunk out of the total cost of the aircraft.
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| Photo: Jim Ross, NASA |
Phantom works created the first model of two models of the X-45A, in September of 2000. at Edwards Air Force Base, the X-45A successfully had its first bomb run test hitting the ground target with a 250-pound inert precision-guided munition. The X-45′s goal was to “conduct suppression of enemy air defense missions with unmanned combat air vehicles.” The technology demonstrator program was designed with air to ground roles in mind as well as air to air capabilities. The National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is were both X-45A’s have resided since 2006 after their flight test program completion.
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| Photo: defence.pk |
The next project the X-45C Boeing modified to have even more fuel capacity and three times greater combat range then the X-45A.The X-45C also had a greater wing area and a platform similar to the B-2 Spirits. The autonomous aerial refueling of the X-45C was Boeing’s goal to reach by 2010, using a KC-135 Stratotanker. However, the US Air Force decided not to continue with the X-45 project on March 2, 2006.
i was wounder how much would it cost to get a model for the X-45A
That’s a good question! I honestly do not know the exact price, although I’m sure the real thing costs a couple million USD. Are you referring to a model airplane, as in remote controlled? Those are significantly less and probably a couple thousand if you get one to scale with jet turbines and everything.