Flight Proven NV-144 provides Low Risk Airframe for Reconnaissance and Target Payloads
A three-year Northrop development program validated the aerodynamics, propulsion, and controllability of the NV-144. Now the Navy, Marines, and Air Force can use this flight-proven vehicle to minimize technical risks in obtaining a common reconnaissance and target unmanned aeronautical vehicle.
By adapting payloads to an NV-144 modularized nose section, various reconnaissance and target configurations are obtained to satisfy different joint-service mission requirements. The NV-144’s eleven cubic feet of payload volume—almost twice the volume of any other vehicle in this class—can easily accommodate a variety of reconnaissance and target payloads.
Major reconnaissance subsystems—including mission sensors, data and command link, integrated flight controller, flight essential equipment, recovery system, propulsion system, and airframe—permit tactical commanders to detect, classify and target threat forces in a continuous, real-time basis. The integrated flight controller—consisting of a global positioning system (GPS), inertial reference unit, and digital processor—is the “brains” of the NV-144 permitting fully automatic execution of preprogrammed mission profiles.
Northrop is using a “truck” approach for the air vehicle—designing a common wing, fuel tank, propulsion and aft section for use with a variety of nose payload sections. This approach maximizes commonality and cost effectiveness in logistic items, such as support equipment, manuals, training and spare parts, while providing mission flexibility for the Navy, Marines, and Air Force.
An example of the flexible “truck” approach is the conversion of the reconnaissance vehicle into an aeronautical training or R&D target. The target version of the NV-144 carries standard Navy target augmentation, scoring and control system payloads to provide sophisticated target mission profiles in manual, semi-automatic or automatic control modes.
Northrop—the world’s largest producer of unmanned aeronautical systems—is applying its 52 years of low cost, high technology experience to the NV-144 vehicle, making advanced technology work for the Navy, Marines, and Air Force.
Interchangeable Nose Sections Accommodate a Variety of Reconnaissance and Target Payloads.
Almost Twice as Much Watertight Payload Capacity as any Other Vehicle in Its Class
The NV-144’s 20-inch diameter payload section provides 11 cubic feet of advanced tactical air reconnaissance system (ATARS) sensors and avionics.
The NV-144 is easily converted to a high-performance target system that meets existing payload requirements, while allowing for future growth. Much of the logistics and support equipment are common between the reconnaissance and target vehicles.
Northrop NV-144 UAV
| Range | 900+ Nautical Miles |
| Altitude High | 52,500 Feet |
| Speed | 180-550 Knots |
| Weight | 1,700 lb |
| Endurance | 2+ Hours |
| Fuel | Jet Fuel (JP-5, JP-8 or Jet A-I) |