The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has revealed plans for a next-generation, high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform that could replace the U-2 and Global Hawk from 2025.
The company has launched an internally-funded study of a stealthy jet designated the TR-X that might also carry alternative payloads such as a high-energy laser, or for electronic warfare. Lockheed Martin (LM) believes that a U.S. requirement for the TR-X could emerge within the next 18 months.
In a media briefing on the U-2 in Palmdale, CAlast month, LM officials made passing reference to the project, labeling it the RQ-X, suggesting an unmanned, purely ISR platform. They have since changed the designation to TR-X for ‘tactical reconnaissance’, reflecting the potential multi-mission capability, and optional manning. However, an LM official told AIN that, “we’re leaning away from optional manning, since by the time the TR-X is available, the FAA should have resolved the current issues on the airspace integration of UAVs. Incidentally, the U-2 was redesignated TR-1 in the 1980s, but this cosmetic re-branding was subsequently dropped.
The TR-X would feature some key characteristics of today’s U-2, such as modular payloads, a high-power (45 Kva) generator, networked communications, and rapid deployability. The study will have to determine whether a new powerplant is necessary, or whether to use the U-2’s General Electric F118 engine, which has proved to be very reliable and economic. The TR-X would also have open missions systems (OMS) architecture, similar to the one that was recently test-flown on a U-2. A company official said that the platform would not be completely autonomous, because that would reduce operational flexibility. Adaptability must be a key characteristics.
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