northrop recently had an article in popular science discussing its proposal for a new uva named switchblade.....
http://img.timeinc.net/popsci/images/2006/06/bomber_485.jpg

the wings rotate upon the top of dual engines, more stream line for mach 2 travel, and broader for slow approach.http://img.timeinc.net/popsci/images/2006/06/bomber_b_170.jpg
http://img.timeinc.net/popsci/images/2006/06/bomber_1_485.jpg
the mechanics seem reasonable, but the hard part will be rotating the wing while in flight. plus i wondering if the wing itself will change shape in the rear for steering purposes. who knows, looks very interesting though, even though northrop is my company's competition i still would love to see a prototype fly. :Peace:
here's the article: http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviationspace/0f2505a52aceb010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.htm

as for lockheed:cool: , though this was talked about in february it still shows a second approach to uva use....
http://img.timeinc.net/popsci/images/2006/02/Cormorant_rgb_485.jpg
it will launch from an ohio class sub missle bay, float to the service, and fire rockets to begin its flight. BUT the hard part here seems to be the return flight. if the enemy sees it land in the water, chances are the sub thats retrieving it is close.
here's the article: http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviationspace/63b259a122d89010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

Looks pretty sick, can't wait to see what Raytheon cooks up to fly it and all the electronic goodies. Lockheed will make something to compete. I wonder who will use Raytheon as the chips and processing units though.

Speaking of UAVs, here's one that actually exists:

http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2002/may/photos/may02finalfrontiers0150.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-50

It takes off like a helicopter and then the rotors slow and lock into a fixed wing configuration. So the X-50 can swing its wings a full 360 (take that Northrop :bottom: ) :mdrmed:

I could see that sub plane as an unmanned disposable controlled by a computer nerd...The Japanese had some sub launched planes during WWII - but they were one way only - they didn't worry about getting the pilot back...

Ever hear of a weapon system that generates a violet rainbow? I am trying to trace down a rumor

In the future, wars will basically be just like a Halo tournament. And no damn whoring the rocket launcher either Iraqis!!

here's a quite 11 sec video of the joint strike fighter (f-35). the marines and several other countries want a version with vertical take off....
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4893001542013108697&q=joint+strike+fighter
if you have broadband here's the full 9 min version (vert take off is the final minute and a half)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4742849525846050256&q=joint+strike+fighter

here's a quite 11 sec video of the joint strike fighter (f-35). the marines and several other countries want a version with vertical take off....
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4893001542013108697&q=joint+strike+fighter
if you have broadband here's the full 9 min version (vert take off is the final minute and a half)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4742849525846050256&q=joint+strike+fighter

Go JSF!! I helped make that -- the plane, not the video...