Northrop Grumman unveils the X-47B
The large UAV — it has a 62-ft. wingspan and weighs around 45,000 pounds at takeoff — is the U.S. military’s principal vanguard for a potential new age of stealthy, autonomous combat aircraft
A new tool for war on terror (and other types of war): The U.S. Navy has just unveiled the world’s biggest UAV. The other day in California, Northrop Grumman showed off a completed X-47B Navy Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS), the first of two fighter-plane-size UAVs that the company will produce for the U.S. Navy. The second will follow in 2009. The Navy hopes to start flying the X-47Bs next year. The UAV is expected to have the ability to take off from and land on an aircraft carrier, and the Navy plans to start those trials in 2011.
The X-47B was designed to be adept at long-range surveillance because of its large range and high flight ceiling. Despite being on the large side — it will have a 62-ft. wingspan and weigh around 45,000 pounds at takeoff — the X-47B is designed for stealth. This aircraft shows the Navy’s growing embrace of unmanned technology, including both unmanned underwater vehicles and aerial vehicles.
The X-47B is a technological step forward in unmanned vehicles: in addition to having stealth features, it is supposed to have the ability to execute some maneuvers, such as refueling in midflight, autonomously. As such, the X-47B remains the U.S. military’s principal vanguard for a potential new age of stealthy, autonomous combat aircraft. “Unveiling the first X-47B UCAS aircraft signals a sea change in military aviation, made possible through the navy’s vision and leadership,” said Scott Winship, Northrop VP and navy UCAS program manager.
