Scaled Composites Model 151 (ARES)

History of Scale Composite Model 151 (ARES)

ARES "Agile Response Effective Support") Type 151 was designed and built by US Scaled Composites to meet Army requirements for a low-cost, high-yield close air support (CAS) combat platform (under the initiative "Low Cost Battlefield Attack Aircraft" (LCBAA) )). Design work began in 1981 and culminated across Rutan Aircraft Works in an attempt to combine the best-known qualities of the current generation of CAS aircraft to create low altitude, long endurance, combat maneuverability, performance, short-field/rough skills and firepower.

Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites brand was used to build the required airworthy prototype, which was the Type 151. In its original form, it evolved around a turboprop platform with a canard-like, single-push-rod configuration armed with a massive 30mm rotating cannon.

Given this period in history, its role on the battlefield would be to eliminate tanks and vehicles from the Soviet Union, as well as to concentrate enemy troops and convoys.

The turboprop was soon replaced by the more mature Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) 2,950-pound JT15D-5 turbofan, which offered a significant performance boost. The aircraft's maiden flight was finally recorded on February 19, 1990, although Scaled Composites would only build a standard-compliant airworthy prototype.

The prototype was eventually fitted with a smaller (but equally powerful) 25mm GAU-12/U series Gatling-style internal cannon, and the weapon system was actively tested on the aircraft with good results. With this weapon along the starboard side of the nose, an air intake was installed on the port side to suck in the turbofan engine - making it immune to any gases expelled by the powerful rotating gun.

Other weapon options (intended to be secured via multiple external pylons) are unguided missiles and the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-92 Stinger series of short-range air-to-air missiles (AAM).

Despite the unorthodox asymmetric approach to gun and engine fit, ARES elsewhere has adopted a largely traditional arrangement in its design, including the cockpit in the nose and the engine exhaust in the stern mouth. The twin tails are mounted on short tail booms, and the aircraft has no real elevators. The main-wing aircraft is mounted low and near the midship in the usual manner. The canards, small front wings, are located high on either side of the front of the fuselage near the rear of the cockpit.

The sole pilot sits under an integral, unobstructed canopy that provides excellent visibility from the cockpit. Ground operation is achieved with a conventional wheeled/retractable tricycle landing gear arrangement.

The Type 151 has been tested with a top speed of 466 mph and a combat radius of 690 miles. His service cap reached 35,000 feet.

Despite the U.S. Department of Defenses interest in the early days of the program, Scaled Composites completed the Model 151 as a private enterprise, with little help from the military.

It managed to meet and exceed its testing requirements, completing approximately 250 hours in the air before being put into storage. It flew again in March 2008 and is currently offered by the company as a research platform. Of course, there are also United States Air Force (USAF) agencies actively opposing the ARES program, and some in the Army are also interested in protecting the specific role of the Hughes AH-64 attack helicopter on the battlefield. The U.S. Air Force is currently enjoying the fixed-wing CAS role with its aging Fairchild A-10 "Thunderbolt II" attack aircraft.

The AH-64 performs the rotor CAS role.

Specification

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