(Eric Moore) wrote in message . com...
(Kevin Brooks) wrote in message . com...
(Eric Moore) wrote in message . com...
Larry Dighera wrote in message . ..
http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/new.../ghwk07103.xml

Idea Of Arming Global Hawk Draws Conflicting Comments From Pentagon
By Marc Selinger
July 10, 2003

Army Gen. Tommy Franks said July 9 that the Defense Department will
try to weaponize the Global Hawk surveillance aircraft, marking what
would appear to be a major policy reversal for the unmanned aerial
vehicle.

But Air Force officials disputed the general's comments, telling The
DAILY that the service has no plans to put weapons on Global Hawk. Air
Force officials have indicated in the past that they would not arm
Global Hawk because some countries would object to having a weaponized
UAV fly in their airspace. ....

[click the link to read the complete article]

I wonder if there are any plans to arm the stealthy UAV used in
operation Iraqi Freedom

http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/ch.../07073news.xml

A stealthy UCAV would be an interesting SEAD/DEAD asset.

Both current UCAV competitors are already stealthy designs.

Brooks


The UCAV competitors won't be in service for years, the stealthy UAV
mentioned in the link is in (very) limited service now.

They are not all that far off; last I heard the plan was to have an
IOC as early as 07. And what are the chances that thesurrent stealthy
UAV has a suitable weapons bay capable of handling a decent sized
weapon (this presumably is not a Hellfire class weapon)? If it doesn't
then say bye-bye to stealth if you want to strap a weapon on
externally.

Brooks