Jul 10
Jul 10
The US Navy’s unmanned plane, the X-47B, has been in development for years. It first flew in 2011, began testing aboard an aircraft carrier in late 2012, and finally took off from a floating airstrip earlier this year. Taking off from a moving ship is easier than landing on one, of course, but the X-47B accomplished that task today when it successfully landed on the USS George H.W. Bush. And, just to show off, shortly thereafter the X-47B was launched from carrier via catapult and, once again, landed successfully. So, it looks to be only a matter of time before our Top Guns look more like Watson, and less like Tom Cruise.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: US Navy
Jul 10
One of the most sophisticated drones the world has ever seen landed on an aircraft carrier Wednesday afternoon, wowing the socks off the top brass and changing war as we know it
     |
May 15
May 14
US Navy’s X-47B is the first unmanned plane launched from an aircraft carrier (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili
After limbering up with taxi tests since December, the X-47B unmanned combat air system has finally taken off from an aircraft carrier, making it the first pilotless plane to have successfully done so, and with a catapult launch to boot. Despite the craft’s ability to fly on its own, it was controlled by a human aboard the George H.W. Bush after it was flung from the ship. Once in the air, the Northrop Grumman-built craft was guided back for a landing on a runway planted on terra firm. Now that the bird’s proved it can handle launches at sea, other excursions will put the automatic navigation and landing features through their paces. Hit the break for a video of the X-47B taking to the skies.
Filed under: Misc, Transportation
Source: IEEE Spectrum, US Navy (YouTube)
Dec 10
This Is the Future of the US Navy
Posted in: Today's Chili
Witness, the beginning of a new era: the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System on the flight deck of the USS Harry S. Truman. Soon, there will be no more Maverick or Ice Man. In a couple of decades, everything will be stealthy, autonomous or remote controlled war creatures, much more cost-effective than their expensive human-carrying counterparts. Not as romantic and epic, but cheaper to manufacture, cheaper to operate and no lost pilots’ lives. More »
Aug 08
As the role UAVs in the US military expands, the demands placed on these unmanned platforms grow as well. One of the most important new abilities these autonomous fliers must have is the ability to land atop a thin strip of tarmac rolling on the high seas. And that’s just what the new Northrop Grumman X-47B will do. More »
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.