Singapore to test supersonic attack drone to escort manned aircraft

Singapore will test a new supersonic attack drone named ‘Arrow’ built to escort manned aircraft, besides performing a host of other functions, next month.

Kelley Aerospace was chosen to build a drone that can destroy air and ground targets, carry out reconnaissance, escort manned aircraft and perform other tasks. It started working on it in 2012, topwar.ru reported today.

Arrow will be made of carbon fiber. Its design will allow it to reach speeds of Mach 2-2.1. The drone’s takeoff weight will be up to 16,800 kg, length 14 m, wingspan 9 m, flight distance more than 4000 km without refueling if it is possible to carry external fuel tanks.

The UAV will be able to take off automatically and will be controlled remotely from the ground by two-person personnel or from a manned aircraft. Arrow is designed to escort combat aircraft, while it can be used as bait for surface-to-air missiles, fight fighters, interfere with communications and radars, and search and destroy ground targets, the report said.