According to The Aviationistthis test flight is an important step in the development of “aerospace capabilities through innovation and advanced digital processes”. The media outlet also described this first flight as interesting.
A plane without a pilot?
According to test pilot Brian Maisler, everything went perfectly well.Today's first flight was in a great jet with a great crew – it's the best part of my job. Thanks to everyone for the two years of hard work that made this day uneventful and fun“, he said in the company's press release.
Initially, as The Aviationist recalls, the Model 437 Vanguard was presented as an “unmanned aircraft”, intended to assist manned aircraft during missions. The concept was first presented in 2021.
However, according to the video released by Northrop Grumman and Brian Maisler's statement, the 437 is indeed equipped with a cockpit, accommodating a pilot. This would transform it, according to the specialized media, “in a crewed variant, which adds versatility to its operational potential.”
12.3 meters long, 4,5 tons and a range of 6 hours
Developed in partnership with Northrop Grumman, the Model 437 Vanguard is based on the low-cost 401 multi-mission aircraft, but with a crewed and powered variant.by a single Pratt & Whitney 535 engine with approximately 3,400 pounds (approx. 1542 kg) of thrust”.
According to the press release, the plane would be 12.3 meters long and have a wingspan of 12.3 meters. At takeoff, its gross weight would be 10,000 pounds, or nearly 4.5 tons. It will also be able to carry more than 907 kg of load and has a range of 6 hours.
A development of the 437 Vanguard at the initiative of two companies
To develop this model, Scaled Composite and Northrop Grumman shared the tasks. Scaled Composite was responsible for:
- To perform aerodynamic and structural analysis for aircraft design
- To manufacture the fuselage and empennage (Surfaces placed at the rear of the wings or tail of an aircraft, and intended to give it stability)
- To assemble the plane
- To integrate systems
- To perform ground and flight tests.
Northrop Grumman, an American company dedicated to the aeronautics and defense sectors, would have “defined, developed, built and verified removable wing assemblies using advanced digital tools and processes”according to the Scaled Composite press release.
This development is part of its project Digital Pathfinder, which consists of using the digital ecosystem for future programs. The project would have already demonstrated “How the company's fully digital engineering ecosystem reduces technical rework, accelerates lead times and lowers costs”, according to a company article.
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