X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator

The US Navy’s Northrop Grumman-built X-47B unmanned combat air system demonstrator (UCAS-D) carrier demonstration aircraft has successfully completed its first arrested landing on Nimitz-class super carrier, USS George H W Bush (CVN 77), off the coast of Virginia, US.

Marking a step ahead in integrating the unmanned aircraft systems seamlessly into navy carrier operations, the landing trial has been conduct as final part of three at-sea test periods for X-47B programme.

During testing, the X-47B aircraft caught the three-wire with the aircraft’s tailhook following its 35-minute travel from the Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, US, to the aircraft carrier.

The unmanned system performed the arrested landing effectively by stopping from a speed of 145k in less than 350ft, while a mission operator aboard the carrier took control of the aircraft and monitored the flight operations.

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US Navy UCAS programme manager captain Jaime Engdahl said the recent trials confirmed the unmanned systems can be seamlessly integrated into the carrier environment.

"Successful arrested landings points back to a rigorous test plan focused on software development and system maturity to prove that an autonomous unmanned system such as the X-47B can safely, seamlessly and predictably integrate into navy carrier operations."

Further arrested landing trial has been conducted by the UCAS-D using the ship’s catapult shortly after completing initial landing off the carrier.

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems vice-president and Navy UCAS programme manager Carl Johnson said: "Although it looks like it could be an easy maneouvre, today’s successful arrested landings points back to a rigorous test plan focused on software development and system maturity to prove today that an autonomous unmanned system such as the X-47B can safely, seamlessly and predictably integrate into navy carrier operations."

Northrop Grumman-led team for the UCAS-D programme includes Pratt & Whitney, GKN Aerospace, Eaton, General Electric, UTC Aerospace Systems, Dell, Honeywell, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace, Rockwell Collins and Lockheed Martin.

The 38.2ft-long tailless autonomous aircraft will be fitted with both probe-and-drogue for the US Navy as well as boom-receptacle mechanisms for the USAF for autonomous air refuelling.


Image: The X-47B lands aboard USS George H W Bush. Photo: courtesy of US Navy, by mass communication specialist 1st class Arif Patani/Released.

Defence Technology