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Artist's conception of Lockheed Martin's TR-X design. Source: Lockheed Martin
Key Points
- Lockheed Martin is offering the TR-X as a replacement for its U-2
- The USAF has not requested designs for a next-generation surveillance aircraft, but Lockheed Martin sees the need for a more survivable successor to the legacy fleet
The company's advanced Skunk Works division has devised the new TR-X tactical reconnaissance aircraft as a replacement for its U-2 when the legacy aircraft retires in 2019, said Scott Winstead, Lockheed Martin's business manager for the U-2 programme.
"TR for tactical reconnaissance, and that's really what we're driving here: a tactical reconnaissance platform," he said.
T-X is designed to be affordable, he added. "If it's something that's going to be a workhorse with the latest in technology and platform design, you're more talking tactical reconnaissance rather than strategic reconnaissance," said Winstead.
TR-X has many similarities to U-2, including General Electric F118 engines and a similar ordnance payload. Like the U-2, the TR-X would fly at 70,000 feet.
Winstead has previously said the new aircraft would be a follow-on to both the manned U-2 and the unmanned Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk.
While the USAF has wavered over which aircraft it wants to retire and when, Lockheed Martin sees the need for a replacement for both. Although the USAF has not requested designs for a next-generation surveillance aircraft, Winstead said a more survivable successor makes the most sense for the air force.
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AFA 2015: Lockheed Martin pitches TR-X to replace U-2 - IHS Jane's 360
