We’ve already shown Boeing’s concept in DARPA’s Vulture
high-altitude, extremely long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle program. Now its two competitors, Aurora Flight Sciences and Lockheed Martin, have released artist renderings of their own designs. Aurora calls its concept Odysseus. Lockheed Martin’s aircraft is equally intriguing. All three companies won Phase 1 contracts earlier this month to commence with the design and development of their respective aircraft. DARPA wants an unmanned system that is “able to fly on station and perform its mission for five years without interruption.”
Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Davis, the Department of the Air Force’s top internal watchdog, has been nominated to lead Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees the service’s bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles.