Source: Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman and U.S. Navy on Aug. 17 jointly conducted a first of its kind demonstration flights integrati...
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| Source: Northrop Grumman |
The series of cooperative flights involved the unmanned X-47B and F/A-18 hornet fighter flying from the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) aircraft carrier.
During the flights, the X-47B flew in the landing pattern with the F/18-Hornet at approach speeds of 120 miles per hour, at a pattern altitude of 1,200 feet.
The trials was aimed to collect data that will help reduce risks associated with integrating unmanned aircraft with conventional manned carrier operations.
The manned/unmanned flight trials involved several planned precision approaches to the carrier. At the completion trial, the X-47B landed safely aboard CVN 71, catching and quickly releasing the arresting cable before folding its wings and taxiing clear of the landing area.
"Today's operation proved once again that the X-47B is a mature, reliable system that can integrate safely and effectively with manned carrier operations, both on the deck and in the air," said Carl Johnson, vice president and Navy UCAS program manager, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.
The X-47B is a demonstration unmanned combat air vehicle(UCAV) designed for carrier-based operations by Northrop Grumman. Northrop has designed two air vehicles under the program. NG intends to develop the prototype X-47B into the US Navy's Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike(UCLASS) system, which is expected to enter service by 2019.
