X-47B unmanned test aircraft hoisted aboard ship for first sea tests

[SpArK]

X-47B unmanned test aircraft hoisted aboard ship for first sea tests (videos and photos)​

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Covered in protective wrapping, the X-47B sits on a barge before being hoisted aboard the aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) at Norfolk naval base on Nov. 26. In the background is the amphibious assault ship USS WASP (LHD 1). (U.S. Navy photograph)
One of two Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aircraft was barged down from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and arrived on Nov. 26 at Norfolk naval base, Va., where it was promptly hoisted aboard the aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75). This marks the first time one of the stealthy aircraft has been on board a ship.

TRUMAN was fitted during a recent overhaul with gear and software to operate the X-47B, the first jet unmanned strike aircraft designed for carrier operation. Extensive carrier deck handling tests will be run before flying operations take place later this winter.

The carrier will undertake three weeks of tests with the X-47B, both in port at Norfolk and underway along the Atlantic coast. Engineers and sailors will use a hand-held control display unit to control the aircraft moving along the carrier's deck.

TRUMAN is scheduled to deploy to the U.S. Central Command region early in 2013.

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[SpArK]

Re: X-47B unmanned test aircraft hoisted aboard ship for first sea tes

The shape of the X-47B evokes the U.S. Air Force's much larger B-2 stealth bomber, also built by Northrop Grumman.

 

[asianobserve]

Re: X-47B unmanned test aircraft hoisted aboard ship for first sea tes

Northrop's still cutting edge flying wing design:

N1M

YB-35

YB-49

B-2

X-47B