U.S. Navy receives X-47B unmanned combat air system

[Lankan Ranger]

U.S. Navy receives X-47B unmanned combat air system

Northrop Grumman's tailless X-47B unmanned combat air system has been delivered to the U.S. Navy following a year of testing.

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command said the aircraft -- the first fixed-wing unmanned aerial system designed for use from an aircraft carrier -- was tested at Edwards Air Force Base in California and then trucked to the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River, Md.

"The transition to Pax River is a highlight for the program," said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, Navy UCAS program manager. "We are working toward demonstrating the aircraft's ability to operate on and around an aircraft carrier."

The X-47B is 38.2 feet long and has a wingspan of 62.1 feet. It is powered by a Pratt and Whitney engine, cruises at subsonic speed, has a range of 2,100 nautical miles and can fly as high as 40,000 feet.

It also features two weapons bays for ordnance.

The X-47B first took to the air in February.

The Navy said the aircraft will undergo carrier suitability testing, including use with catapult and arresting gear.

U.S. Navy receives X-47B - UPI.com

 

[TruthSeeker]

From Wikipedia:

X-47A
Original proof-of-concept prototype with a 19-foot (5.9-m) wingspan, first flown in 2003.
X-47B
X-47C
Proposed larger version with a payload of 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) and a wingspan of 172 ft (52.4 m).[15]
[edit]Specifications (X-47B)

General characteristics
Crew: None aboard
Length: 38.2 ft (11.63 m)
Wingspan: 62.1 ft (30.9 ft folded) (18.92 m)
Height: 10.4 ft (3.10 m)
Empty weight: 14,000 lb (6,350 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 44,567 lb (20,215 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F100-220U turbofan
Performance
Maximum speed: Subsonic
Cruise speed: 0.45 mach
Range: 2,100+ NM (3,889+ km)
Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,190 m)
Armament
2 weapon bays, providing for up to 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) of ordnance[16]

 

[Nishan_101]

I am sure Pakistan and China are also working on something similar which would be much more capable than this and may be it will be a multirole one too.....

 

[anon45]

That its in full production is quicker than I thought, after seeing what its capable of they must have wanted it out fast.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Kinda looks like the one tht crashed in iran.

 

[PERSIAN GOD KING]

Kinda looks like the one tht crashed in iran.

crashed? first of all it was downed and second that was the RQ-170 an spy uav.

 

[Nishan_101]

I think PAK and China should work closely on something like this with multi-role capability and ability to go super cruise with 10+ Gs

 

[SOHEIL]

crashed? first of all it was downed and second that was the RQ-170 an spy uav.

doesn't matter ... it will captured to