Nichols Martin
Sierra Technical Services has concluded the critical design review of an upcoming unmanned target aircraft.
The company said Wednesday the 5th Generation Aerial Target is being designed for use in air-to-air and ground-to-air weapons evaluation, as well as in training for pilots and ground forces.
The 5GAT generates propulsion through two afterburning jet engines housed in an airframe that is 95 percent composed of carbon fiber.
With the critical design review’s completion, STS may proceed to assemble the first 5GAT demonstrator, which is scheduled for initial flight in spring 2019. STS has completed 90 percent of the wing internal structure and 80 percent of the fuselage internal structure and intends to begin assembling these components immediately.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded STS the prime contract for the 5GAT’s design, development, fabrication and testing in March 2017.
