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[Nevermore]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1969401262949937333

What is almost here?

Hypersonic aircraft? Unmanned combat aerial vehicles?

 

[00CuriousObserver]

Here it is

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[InsaneHum]

Here it is

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LOL all that hype for something that China unveiled previously

 

[valysre]

From a very surface level view, this UAV seems more similar to the smaller UAVs unveiled during 9/3 than the bigger ones.

 

[Nevermore]

Here it is

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This timing is really unfortunate. They could have released it earlier—I mean, released the PPT before China did.
——
However, this aircraft also has its highlights, featuring a more stealth-optimized configuration for its engine nozzles.However, judging by the engine air intakes, this aircraft's maximum speed and maneuverability are likely to be rather average.

 

[valysre]

This timing is really unfortunate. They could have released it earlier—I mean, released the PPT before China did.

They've spent a lot of money on this project, and they've worked on it for at least a year or two, now. It's not a PPT. But, given that the Chinese UADFs are in the air with J-20s already, there is a gap. I think we'd have heard if this 'Vectis' was cavorting in the sky with F-35 pilots.

 

[Tomboy]

This timing is really unfortunate. They could have released it earlier—I mean, released the PPT before China did.
——
However, this aircraft also has its highlights, featuring a more stealth-optimized configuration for its engine nozzles.However, judging by the engine air intakes, this aircraft's maximum speed and maneuverability are likely to be rather average.

The article did say supersonic performance is not something they would want so it is a subsonic drone

They've spent a lot of money on this project, and they've worked on it for at least a year or two, now. It's not a PPT. But, given that the Chinese UADFs are in the air with J-20s already, there is a gap. I think we'd have heard if this 'Vectis' was cavorting in the sky with F-35 pilots.

Also, in the air with J-20 only in a operational testing sense.

 

[zyklon]

Here it is

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If this cute little thing is what Lockheed

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on last quarter prior to even reaching the flying prototype stage, then I'm terrified — as a taxpayer to the US gov't — to even want to ask just how much it'll cost down the road on a per airframe basis.

 

[00CuriousObserver]

I am having trouble myself believing this is the announcement... Kind of in a reverse copium kind of way

 

[valysre]

If this cute little thing is what Lockheed

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on last quarter prior to even reaching the flying prototype stage, then I'm terrified — as a taxpayer to the US gov't — to even want to ask just how much it'll cost down the road on a per airframe basis.

The unfortunate consequence of a country that has lost its entire manufacturing supply chain. Prototyping takes forever and a fortune in the US.

I am having trouble myself believing this is the announcement... Kind of in a reverse copium kind of way

Same. Was expecting something more dramatic than this. A bit disappointed, to be honest.