美國防務公司突破極限 開發高性價比極音速無人機

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Kratos突破極限 開發高性價比極音速無人機

Kratos Pushes Boundaries: Developing a Cost-Effective Hypersonic Drone

美國防務公司克雷托斯（Kratos）近日宣布，正在開發一款能以極音速（超過5馬赫）飛行的無人機，並強調其成本將「遠低於現有同類機型」，目標是提供更具經濟效益的高超音速技術。

U.S. defense firm Kratos has announced the development of a hypersonic drone capable of flying at speeds exceeding Mach 5, emphasizing its significantly lower cost compared to existing models. The company aims to provide a more cost-effective solution in hypersonic technology.

自主投資 推動高超音速技術普及

Self-Funded Initiative to Advance Hypersonic Capabilities

克雷托斯執行長德馬科（Eric DeMarco）指出，這項計畫由公司內部資助，象徵其在經濟型高超音速技術上的重大突破。該無人機屬於「狂怒家族極超音速系統」（Kratos Furies Family of Hypersonic Systems），自2013年起，Kratos便投入自有資金，致力研發價格親民且具作戰價值的極音速系統。

Eric DeMarco, CEO of Kratos, highlighted that this internally funded project represents a major breakthrough in affordable hypersonic technology. The drone is part of the “Kratos Furies Family of Hypersonic Systems,” a program the company has been self-funding since 2013 to develop cost-effective yet combat-capable hypersonic platforms.

拓展極音速布局 獲美軍高額合約

Expanding Hypersonic Development with Major U.S. Military Contracts

該無人機的開發延續了Kratos在無動力極音速飛行器領域的努力，公司此前已推出Erinyes及Dark Fury兩款助推滑翔飛行器，並開發了宙斯（Zeus）系列固體燃料火箭發動機。今年1月，Kratos獲得美軍「多軍種先進能力高超音速測試平台」（MACH-TB）五年合約，總值高達14.5億美元（約新台幣479億元）。

The new drone continues Kratos’ work in hypersonic glider technology. The company previously introduced the Erinyes and Dark Fury boost-glide vehicles and developed the Zeus series of solid-fuel rocket engines. In January, Kratos secured a five-year contract worth up to $1.45 billion for the U.S. military’s MACH-TB hypersonic testing platform.

聚焦DARPA「次世代響應打擊」計畫

Targeting DARPA’s “Next Generation Responsive Strike” Program

專家分析，Kratos的無人機可能瞄準美國國防高等研究計畫署（DARPA）的「次世代響應打擊」（Next RS）計畫，該計畫目標是打造可重複使用的極音速飛行器，執行打擊與情報、監視及偵察（ISR）任務，預計五年內進行原型機試飛。

Analysts suggest Kratos’ drone is likely aligned with DARPA’s “Next Generation Responsive Strike” (Next RS) program, which aims to develop a reusable hypersonic vehicle for strike and ISR missions, with a prototype expected to fly within five years.

該計畫的關鍵技術為「渦輪聯合循環發動機」（TBCC），該發動機能讓飛行器從傳統渦扇引擎起飛，並切換至5馬赫以上的衝壓模式，最後在降落時回復渦扇模式，被譽為極音速領域的「聖杯」。

A key element of the program is the Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) engine, which allows a vehicle to take off with a traditional turbofan, switch to a ramjet mode above Mach 5, and revert to turbofan operation for landing—a concept often regarded as the “holy grail” of hypersonic flight.

低成本策略 或成市場競爭關鍵

Low-Cost Strategy Could Be a Game Changer in the Market

目前，競爭對手Hermeus公司正在開發採用TBCC技術的「夸特馬」（Quarterhorse）Mk.1無人機，並預計近期首飛。然而，若Kratos能兌現低成本承諾，將有望在美國軍方極音速項目中占據更有利的位置。

Rival firm Hermeus is developing the Quarterhorse Mk.1 UAV, which also utilizes TBCC technology and is expected to fly soon. However, if Kratos delivers on its low-cost promise, it could gain a competitive edge in the U.S. military’s hypersonic programs.

Kratos的極音速布局不止於此，公司還參與美國空軍「Mayhem」計畫，並與澳洲Hypersonix Launch Systems合作開發DART AE飛行器，展現其在高超音速領域的長遠戰略。

Beyond this project, Kratos is also involved in the U.S. Air Force’s Mayhem program and has partnered with Australia’s Hypersonix Launch Systems to develop the DART AE vehicle, further solidifying its long-term hypersonic strategy.