America’s Billion $ Aircraft that ALMOST Went to Museum.
America’s Billion $ Aircraft that ALMOST Went to Museum.
The Northrop Grumman X-47B, an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), represents a technological marvel designed for carrier-based operations. Its history is marked by groundbreaking achievements that have reshaped the landscape of modern aviation and defense.
In May of 2013, a historic moment unfolded as the X-47B became the first drone ever to be catapulted off the USS George H.W. Bush, an aircraft carrier. This launch was a testament to the aircraft's capabilities and marked a significant milestone in the realm of carrier-based drone operations.
Less than two months later, the X-47B achieved another remarkable feat. It performed an arrested landing on the same carrier, making it the world's first-ever landing of this kind. This event showcased the UCAV's versatility and its ability to operate in the demanding environment of an aircraft carrier.
The X-47B is not just a drone; it's a marvel of engineering that is capable of semi-autonomous and fully autonomous operations. One of its most impressive features is its ability to conduct aerial refueling autonomously. This capability is a testament to the advanced technology integrated into the aircraft.
By early 2015, both X-47Bs, affectionately nicknamed "Saltydog 501" and "Saltydog 502," had successfully completed all primary demonstration tasks required of them. These tasks showcased the UCAV's ability to perform a wide range of missions, from launching and landing on carriers to conducting autonomous refueling operations.
Initially, it was planned for these groundbreaking aircraft to become museum exhibits, serving as a testament to their historical significance. However, the U.S. Navy made a surprising decision. Instead of retiring them, they opted to maintain the X-47Bs in flying condition. This decision highlights the continued value and potential of these aircraft in shaping the future of carrier-based operations and defense.
The Northrop Grumman X-47B stands as a symbol of human innovation and achievement in the field of aviation. Its historic catapult launch and arrested landing, along with its autonomous capabilities, have paved the way for future developments in unmanned aerial systems. As the U.S. Navy continues to keep these remarkable aircraft in operational status, we can anticipate further advancements and breakthroughs in carrier-based drone technology.
#drone #why #mystery #mysterious
Note: "The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
The Northrop Grumman X-47B is a demonstration unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for aircraft carrier-based operations. Developed by the American defense technology company Northrop Grumman, the X-47 project began as part of DARPA's J-UCAS program, and subsequently became part of the United States Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The X-47B is a tailless jet-powered blended-wing-body aircraft capable of semi-autonomous operation and aerial refueling.
The X-47B first flew in 2011, and as of 2015, its two active demonstrators have undergone extensive flight and operational integration testing, having successfully performed a series of land- and carrier-based demonstrations. In August 2014, the US Navy announced that it had integrated the X-47B into carrier operations alongside manned aircraft, and by May 2015 the primary test program was declared complete. The X-47B demonstrators themselves were intended to become museum exhibits after completing flight testing, but the Navy later decided to maintain them in flying condition pending further development.
In February 2015, the Navy stated that the competition for private tenders for constructing the UCLASS fleet would begin in 2016, with the aircraft expected to enter service in the early 2020s. Reportedly, despite the X-47B's success in test flights, officials were concerned that it would be too costly and insufficiently stealthy for the needs of the UCLASS project. In April 2015, it was reported that the X-47B demonstrators would become museum exhibits upon completing flight testing. In June 2015, United States Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus stated that the X-47B program should continue but that Northrop-Grumman should not gain an unfair advantage in the competition for the UCLASS contract. In July 2015, the Navy stated that the X-47Bs would remain in flying condition rather than being converted to museum exhibits, allowing for a variety of follow-on evaluations.
In January 2017, the first X-47B departed NAS Patuxent River, Md. for Northrop Grumman's manufacturing plant in Palmdale, Calif. In August 2017, Aviation Week published photos of a modified X-47B as a testbed for Northrop Grumman's MQ-25 bid.
America’s Billion $ Aircraft that ALMOST Went to Museum.
The Northrop Grumman X-47B, an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), represents a technological marvel designed for carrier-based operations. Its history is marked by groundbreaking achievements that have reshaped the landscape of modern aviation and defense.
In May of 2013, a historic moment unfolded as the X-47B became the first drone ever to be catapulted off the USS George H.W. Bush, an aircraft carrier. This launch was a testament to the aircraft’s capabilities and marked a significant milestone in the realm of carrier-based drone operations.
Less than two months later, the X-47B achieved another remarkable feat. It performed an arrested landing on the same carrier, making it the world’s first-ever landing of this kind. This event showcased the UCAV’s versatility and its ability to operate in the demanding environment of an aircraft carrier.
The X-47B is not just a drone; it’s a marvel of engineering that is capable of semi-autonomous and fully autonomous operations. One of its most impressive features is its ability to conduct aerial refueling autonomously. This capability is a testament to the advanced technology integrated into the aircraft.
By early 2015, both X-47Bs, affectionately nicknamed “Saltydog 501” and “Saltydog 502,” had successfully completed all primary demonstration tasks required of them. These tasks showcased the UCAV’s ability to perform a wide range of missions, from launching and landing on carriers to conducting autonomous refueling operations.
Initially, it was planned for these groundbreaking aircraft to become museum exhibits, serving as a testament to their historical significance. However, the U.S. Navy made a surprising decision. Instead of retiring them, they opted to maintain the X-47Bs in flying condition. This decision highlights the continued value and potential of these aircraft in shaping the future of carrier-based operations and defense.
The Northrop Grumman X-47B stands as a symbol of human innovation and achievement in the field of aviation. Its historic catapult launch and arrested landing, along with its autonomous capabilities, have paved the way for future developments in unmanned aerial systems. As the U.S. Navy continues to keep these remarkable aircraft in operational status, we can anticipate further advancements and breakthroughs in carrier-based drone technology.
#drone #why #mystery #mysterious
Note: “The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.”
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
The Northrop Grumman X-47B is a demonstration unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for aircraft carrier-based operations. Developed by the American defense technology company Northrop Grumman, the X-47 project began as part of DARPA’s J-UCAS program, and subsequently became part of the United States Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The X-47B is a tailless jet-powered blended-wing-body aircraft capable of semi-autonomous operation and aerial refueling.
The X-47B first flew in 2011, and as of 2015, its two active demonstrators have undergone extensive flight and operational integration testing, having successfully performed a series of land- and carrier-based demonstrations. In August 2014, the US Navy announced that it had integrated the X-47B into carrier operations alongside manned aircraft, and by May 2015 the primary test program was declared complete. The X-47B demonstrators themselves were intended to become museum exhibits after completing flight testing, but the Navy later decided to maintain them in flying condition pending further development.
In February 2015, the Navy stated that the competition for private tenders for constructing the UCLASS fleet would begin in 2016, with the aircraft expected to enter service in the early 2020s. Reportedly, despite the X-47B’s success in test flights, officials were concerned that it would be too costly and insufficiently stealthy for the needs of the UCLASS project. In April 2015, it was reported that the X-47B demonstrators would become museum exhibits upon completing flight testing. In June 2015, United States Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus stated that the X-47B program should continue but that Northrop-Grumman should not gain an unfair advantage in the competition for the UCLASS contract. In July 2015, the Navy stated that the X-47Bs would remain in flying condition rather than being converted to museum exhibits, allowing for a variety of follow-on evaluations.
In January 2017, the first X-47B departed NAS Patuxent River, Md. for Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing plant in Palmdale, Calif. In August 2017, Aviation Week published photos of a modified X-47B as a testbed for Northrop Grumman’s MQ-25 bid.
