X-47B UCAS Demonstrator Makes First Flight

( Defpro ) : US Navy/Northrop Grumman team move closer to carrier trials
The US Navy is one great step closer to introducing its first carrier-based unmanned combat aircraft. On Friday, 4 February, the Northrop Grumman-built X-47B successfully accomplished its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The X-47B is an unmanned combat air system (UCAS) technology demonstrator for a stealthy long-range reconnaissance and strike aircraft.

According to Northrop Grumman, the tailless, delta shaped aircraft took off at 2:09 pm PST and performed a 29 minutes-long maiden flight above Rogers Dry Lake. This flight was an important milestone to prove the aircraft’s basic aeronautical capabilities and performances. Friday’s accomplishments allow the team to move ahead in the process of demonstrating its technological abilities to develop an operational fighter-sized unmanned aircraft that can safely operated from a US Navy aircraft carrier.

Janis Pamiljans, vice president and UCAS-D program manager for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector affirmed that “designing a tailless, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft from a clean sheet is no small feat.” Indeed, the US Navy and Northrop Grumman face two considerable challenges, having to integrate an unmanned combat aircraft into routine carrier operations, as well as solving the problem of landing a tailless aircraft on a carrier – many firsts to come when carrier trials begin in 2013.

Northrop Grumman was selected as the US Navy’s UCAS-D prime contractor in August 2007 with the requirement to develop two X-47B demonstrators. The first prototype X-47B was rolled-out in December 2008. The X-47B’s maiden flight represents the “culmination, verification and certification” of the rather theoretical work, which since was carried out by the UCAS-D team. Northrop Grumman explains, that “the aircraft will remain at Edwards AFB for flight envelope expansion before transitioning to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., later this year.” The latter will witness the programmes next major milestones, preparing the aircraft for the demanding naval operations. However, Friday’s first flight marks the beginning of a year-long envelope expansion test programme at Edwards AFB.

After having completed all trials, the technology demonstrator is expected to result in the development of a prototype of a production vehicle, which may then become part of the US Navy’s future carrier-based aircraft fleet. Similar in size to an F/A-18, it is designed to support manned combat aircraft or to carry out reconnaissance and strike missions that may be too dangerous for manned fighters. It will feature a twin weapon bay, which opens under its flat belly and is planned to carry a payload of up to 4,500lb.

Major partners on Northrop Grumman's industry team include GKN Aerospace (substructure and skins), Lockheed Martin (control surfaces, leading edges, engine inlet) and Pratt & Whitney (F100 engine), as well as Eaton, GE, Hamilton Sundstrand, Dell, Honeywell, Goodrich, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace and Rockwell Collins. (nvk)