[DefCon]

I wonder the same thing.
What does this gain us over, say, a cruise missle?
You had to have the gps coordinates in advance, but
I guess you get more bang on target than a cruise missle
On the other hand, flying at 400 mph and 35,000 feet,
is not 'terribly' risky for a manned flight.

[Lokibob]

Cruise missile, is a one time item, fire it and a million $ is gone. This guy can be reloaded and launched again.

In addition, the article didn't say how many it could carry, it only said that it carried and dropped one during this test.

I love the fact that it comes in choice of red, white , or blue trim.

[RFEngineer]

"What does this gain us over, say, a cruise missle?"

One scenario: stealthily loitering over a target area, troops or operatives on the ground can send the coordinates directly to the X45. As soon as they are transmitted and loaded into the JDAMs on board, it's bombs away.

JDAM costs a lot less than a cruise missile.

This will retire the F117 if it goes operational.

[saxxa]

R. and D. ,.....always cost a lot of money at first ......if it works , it will be money very well spent.....the more we pump out , the less expensive the will be to build , add on the upgrades they will recieve through there carrer....just like the patriot missle , the sindwinder , the B- 52 !!!!!...lets hope this new weapons system puts a damn good hurting on our enimies......GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS , OUR PRESIDENT , AND OUR GREAT NATION.

[DakotaGator]

What does this gain us over, say, a cruise missle?

Why, this way the U.S. Air Force continues to exist (little inter-service kidding here)!

Actually, I suspect flexibiity is the big difference. This aircraft probably will be able to carry many different types of ordnance. That would be great for both the strike planners and the human pilots.

[arielb]

well the warhead of a cruise missile isn't very powerful and it can't hover around waiting for targets

[Kozak]

On the other hand, flying at 400 mph and 35,000 feet, is not 'terribly' risky for a manned flight.

Oh really? Would you feel that way with a mach 3 SAM coming at you? How about if a SU 27 is on your tail?

Right now the major rate limiting step in air power is that you first need to knock out the air defences. That ties up most of the stealth AC on the first few days of an air war. THEN you can go after the real targets. With a UCAV you multiply your force right away since you don't have to worry nearly as much about losses. It's only gear.

[reluctantwarrior]

If it had flown at 50 feet then at the IP popped to release altitude, then pickled its little bomb into a window then I would be impressed.