X-47B: A step forward for unmanned, carrier-based aviation

X-47B: A step forward for unmanned, carrier-based aviation

     X-47B is an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) designed for carrier-based use, currently under development. It is developed by the American defense technology company Northrop Grumman. The X-47B first flew in 2011, and as of 2013, it is undergoing flight testing, having successfully performed a series of land- and carrier-based demonstrations

     Recently the X-47B got the attention of the world for being the first-ever unmanned aircraft to be launched from an aircraft carrier, on May 14. The carrier drone had performed its first ever touch and go operation aboard a carrier, on May 17. The X-47B was catapulted from the deck of the USS George H. W. Bush, located off the coast of Virginia. Controlled by a mission operator aboard the ship, the jet drone completed several approaches to demonstrate its ability to operate within the carrier environment before flying across the Chesapeake Bay to its home base, the Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
     The jet-propelled X-47B appears to be designed more for quick, shock and awe bombing runs against heavily fortified enemies. According to the Navy, the X-47B can reach an altitude of more than 40,000 feet (12,000m), has a range of more than 2100 nautical miles (3400km), has two weapons bays that can carry a payload of up to 4,500 pounds (2,040 kilograms) and can reach high subsonic speeds. It is also fully autonomous in flight. It relies on computer programs to tell it where it to go unless a mission operator needs to step in. That differs from other drones used by the military, which are more often piloted from remote locations.
     The robotic bombers, such as X-47B, could reshape the naval warfare in future.

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