An Affordable Means of Increasing Sea-Based Air Power 801241
A new concept of naval air operations, involving surface combatants equipped with long range air/surface missiles, and ten small, high-altitude, high-speed and long-range surveillance/missileer aircraft for targeting and attack, is described. Results of an affordability analysis of this concept are presented. Grumman's Design 698 aircraft, conceived for this role, is described, and its compatibility with a new conceptual surface combatant ship class, the “DGV”, is presented. The current status of the development program directed toward a Design 698 Technology Research Aircraft is described.
