MK-84F Shinigami UCAV
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MK-84F Shinigami (Nif. 死神 " God of Death ") is a jet powered, unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) produced by Murakami Aircraft Corporation. Originally a project of stealth, nuclear capable medium bomber from mid-90s, MK-84F was subsequently scaled down and turned into an unmanned vehicle upon requests of the Imperial Nifonese Army Air Arm. The current drone is a result of long period of research and development finally manifested into a fully autonomous UAV capable of performing both intelligence gathering, reconnaissance and strike missions deep within enemy territory, shrouded in stealth like in a cloak of invisibility. MK-84F is relatively new addition to the Nifonese arsenal, having entered only in mid-2012.
- On it's own, "Shinigami" is 10.5 meters long and has wingspan of 11.8 meters. It had been built in a form of flying wing, akin to the one utilized by B-2 strategic bombers. Such a configuration permits this design to effectively reduce radar cross section, thus making it less visible for conventional X - band detection devices. Front of the wing features several leading edge extensions, while the rear edge incorporates four control surfaces. Characteristic part of the design is total lack of vertical stabilizers in order to further decrease RCS. A single jet engine rests within a "camelback" directly incorporated into the fuselage at the center of the UAV, shielded by a triangular inlet and more conventional outlet. Both points possess shielding which both obstructs access to the radar waves and protects the vehicle from exhaust. Design incorporates trike landing gear. Surfaces of the UAV are covered in antennas - four at the top, two at the bottom. The entire hull received further RAM coatings to further decrease chances of detection. Both inlet and outlet possess proper shielding decreasing infra-red signature and thus the chance of detection via this manner. Empty weight of the UAV is 5000 kilograms, MTOW is estimated at 7400 kg.
- On the left side, sheltered within the hull above the doors lays Washi W-77-48 optronic unit housing majority of the systems necessary during the mission. W-77-48, one of heaviest in it's class, weights 90 kilograms and is mounted on 5 gibmal axis, with function to automatically align with aircraft's angle, and due to it's high stability can house over 7 sensors at the same time, including 2 mega pixel electro optical cameras with full zoom capability, in fully digital true HD imagining format resistant to degradation coming from conversion. Aside from that included are two short wave IR cameras and a laser illuminator with multiple options used to guide munitions on target. When combined with advanced processors and integration of GlobeTrack technology, this system can successfully identify & engage a target as far as 20 kilometers away from the drone. In addition to that W-77-48 can detect moving objects and estimate their speed. This sensor is fully extendable and rests concealed for most of the mission.
- "Shinigami" uses several satellite Ku-band datalinks ranging from 11,7 to 12,7 GHz for downlink and uplink of 14-14,5 GHz for beyond line of slight communication as well as C-band datalink for line of sight communication. Responsible for data management is the "Heavenly General v.2" system that manages the payload and mission capabilities incorporating numerous software functions and making the UAV capable of autonomous operations. Working on open, commercial off the shelf architecture, the "UAV mind" can easily be supplemented by additional system in accordance for customer's requirements. In addition to that, "Heavenly General v.2" features advanced data fusion algorithms fusing the information gathered from multiple sensors into one, coherent picture.
- Responsible for propulsion is Kojima engine providing 45 kN dry military trust. This permits the UAV to move at high subsonic speeds along sustained operational range of about 3000km.
- Heavenly general v. 2 is fully responsible for planing and managing UAV operations. It is composed of both on-ground components and in flight componetns, which, working in tandem, manage the vehicle's operations. The air component, located directly inside the vehicle, is composed of following: mission controller, electro-optical processor, optronic management unit, environmental control system and weapons bay controller. The mission controller integrates the avionics, manages the state of the vehicle, manages the controls of bomb bay doors, manages the missions and implements change of plans. Electro optical processor is integrated with drone's IR systems; it performs autonomous search, tracking and identification of detected targets in designated area. Environmental control system ensures proper conditions within the vehicle itself. An average mission with use of said system can look like this:
* Search: The UAV moves into the designated zone along pre-planned flight route; once in place, the drone autonomously searches and classifies the targets.
* Recognition: Each target is cross - referenced with database to see if it matches any known signature by a smart algorithm. Subsequently each image is sent on the ground. Ground Control operators can then make decisions in regards to their targets.
The crew sits in autonomous shelter hosting consoles and other equipment needed to operate the UAV. Said shelter has been constructed on basis of ISO container and thus can be swiftly moved around if such a need arises. The crew has on it's disposal state of the art voice communications system. MK-84F features an unique ground control station, which, in tandem with "Heavenly Commander" control system allowed for reduction of number of operators to one. This state of the art station features six 60 - centimeter liquid crystal display monitors arrayed in two rows, one below the other. While the ones on top provide 120* panoramic view for the UAV operator using synthetic data from cameras, the lower ones display a UAV flight status screen, map screen and general screen for communications and other mission application. Each screen features series of buttons capable of instantly displaying attached functions. The total crew numbers two persons and a flight control operator.
"Shinigami" features two bomb bays, permitting the drone to hold up to 600 kilograms of armaments, which can be replaced by additional C4RISTA equipment on customer's choice.
MK-84F Shinigami UCAV
- Length
: 10,5 meters- Wingspan
: 11.8 meters- Empty Weight
: 5000 kilograms- MTOW
: 7400 kilograms- Service ceiling
: 12 000 meters- Maximum speed
: 800 km/h- Operational range
: ~ 3000km- Crew
: 0, fully unmanned and autonomous. 2+1 in GCS.- Armaments
: 600 kilograms in two bomb bays