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Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator program
Photo: U.S. Department of Defense Current Photos · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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UnmannedCombatAirSystemDemonstratorprogram

Combat / Strike Drones · United States · 2007
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UnmannedCombatAirSystemDemonstratorprogram

Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator program
Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator program Photo: U.S. Department of Defense Current Photos · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Strike Lethality
60
Endurance
50
Payload
55
Sensors
65
Survivability
80
Range
55
Autonomy
70
Data-Link & Control
60
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
40
Origin United States
ManufacturerNorthrop Grumman Corporation
CategoryCombat / Strike Drones
EraPost-Cold War
In service2007–2015
Operators1 countries
Quantity2
Data Quality82%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
62
Combat / Strike Drones MASS Rating
2/10
Post-Cold War
27/74
All-Time
Combat / Strike Drones · 10 axes scored
Strike Lethality
60
Endurance
50
Payload
55
Sensors
65
Survivability
80
Range
55
Autonomy
70
Data-Link & Control
60
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
40
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the combat / strike drones category.
01 / Overview
Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator program
Production
2007–2015
Quantity
2
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
COMBAT / STRIKE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
35
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
62
combat / strike drones category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the combat / strike drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
  • UAV ClassUCAV
  • Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Combat / Strike Drones
  • First Flight2011
  • Primary RoleCarrier-based strike and surveillance demonstrator
  • In ServiceNo
◈Airframe6MOD.6
  • Length12.3 m
  • Wingspan8.9 m
  • Height3 m
  • Empty Weight4,500 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight9,000 kg
  • Low ObservableYes
▣Powerplant4MOD.4
  • Engine TypeTurbojet/Turbofan
  • Number of Engines1
  • Electric PropulsionNo
  • Propeller / ConfigurationNone
◇Performance7MOD.7
  • Top Speed1,100 km/h
  • Cruise Speed800 km/h
  • Service Ceiling15,000 m
  • Range2,000 km
  • Endurance6
  • Combat / Operating Radius800 km
  • Maximum Payload1,000 kg
▤Armament5MOD.5
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
▲Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built2
  • Operators1
  • Variants2
◎Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year2015
  • Production Start2009
  • Production End2015
  • Operational StatusProgram completed, demonstrator retired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 2007Production started
  2. 2015Production ended
19
years in service
8
years in production
2
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Operational state of a drone where weapons systems are enabled and ready for engagement.
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
Capable of performing tasks or missions without direct human control, using onboard systems to make decisions and execute actions.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
A communication link between a drone and its control station via satellite relay, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations.
Aircraft design and technology features that reduce detection by radar, infrared, acoustic, and other sensors through shaping, materials, and emissions control.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Combat / Strike Drones entry →