Per Northrop Grumman, the X-47B was created under a 2007 contract with the U.S. Navy. It was a time when unmanned craft were beginning to show burgeoning potential, and the Navy was looking to incorporate such a craft into its forces.
The initiative, titled the “Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) Carrier Demonstration,” wanted just that: a plane that could launch and relaunch from an aircraft carrier, refuel while in action, and more — all without a pilot. Such a compact and sophisticated craft could offer dramatically increased visibility into dangerous areas, while removing risks to pilots. Northrop Grumman took this brief in stride and set out to deliver.
The craft that would be the X-47B. It was unlike anything seen before. Popular Science declared it “the world’s first autonomous warplane,” and though only two X-47Bs were completed, they demonstrated through vigorous trials the fully capabilities of drones. As demonstrated by the U.S. Navy on YouTube, it strutted its stuff in both takeoff and landing from the USS Theodore Roosevelt in August 2014.
The very next year, though, the Unmanned Combat Air System demonstration project ended.
For all the latest Games News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
