Source: www.navair.navy.mil / US Navy US Navy moved one step closer to integrating unmanned aircrafts into carrier-based operations on Jul...
Source: www.navair.navy.mil / US Navy
US Navy moved one step closer to integrating unmanned aircrafts into carrier-based operations on July 10, with the successful landing of X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aboard USS George H.W.Bush (CVN 77) aircraft carrier.
This was the first time an unmanned aircraft has made an arrested landing aboard a modern aircraft carrier. Carrier landings are the toughest as the runway is moving.
The X-47B aircraft took off from Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland. A mission operator aboard the carrier took control of the aircraft and monitored the flight operations, which included several planned precision approaches in preparation for the first arrested landing.
The X-47B completed the 35-minute transit from Pax River to the carrier and caught the 3 wire with the aircraft’s tailhook. The arrested landing effectively brought the aircraft from approximately 145 knots to stop in less than 350 feet.
Shortly after the initial landing, the aircraft was launched off the ship using the carrier’s catapult. The X-47B then proceeded to execute one more arrested landing.
The UCAS-D completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) on May 14.
X-47B is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney's F100-PW-220U engine and exhaust system. The engine is capable of providing up to 16000 pounds of thrust.
Northrop Grumman is the Navy's UCAS-D prime contractor. The company designed and produced the program's two X-47B air vehicles. Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D industry team includes Pratt & Whitney, GKN Aerospace, Eaton, General Electric, UTC Aerospace Systems, Dell, Honeywell, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace, Rockwell Collins and Lockheed Martin.
US Navy moved one step closer to integrating unmanned aircrafts into carrier-based operations on July 10, with the successful landing of X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aboard USS George H.W.Bush (CVN 77) aircraft carrier.
This was the first time an unmanned aircraft has made an arrested landing aboard a modern aircraft carrier. Carrier landings are the toughest as the runway is moving.
The X-47B aircraft took off from Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland. A mission operator aboard the carrier took control of the aircraft and monitored the flight operations, which included several planned precision approaches in preparation for the first arrested landing.
The X-47B completed the 35-minute transit from Pax River to the carrier and caught the 3 wire with the aircraft’s tailhook. The arrested landing effectively brought the aircraft from approximately 145 knots to stop in less than 350 feet.
Shortly after the initial landing, the aircraft was launched off the ship using the carrier’s catapult. The X-47B then proceeded to execute one more arrested landing.
The UCAS-D completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) on May 14.
X-47B is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney's F100-PW-220U engine and exhaust system. The engine is capable of providing up to 16000 pounds of thrust.
Northrop Grumman is the Navy's UCAS-D prime contractor. The company designed and produced the program's two X-47B air vehicles. Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D industry team includes Pratt & Whitney, GKN Aerospace, Eaton, General Electric, UTC Aerospace Systems, Dell, Honeywell, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace, Rockwell Collins and Lockheed Martin.
