US Navy X-47B Unmanned Combat Aircraft Completes Historic First Flight

The Northrop Grumman -built U.S. Navy X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) aircraft has successfully completed its historic first flight at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), Calif.

Conducted by a U.S. Navy/Northrop Grumman test team, the flight took off at 2:09 p.m. PST and lasted 29 minutes. This event marks a critical step in the program, moving the team forward to meet the demonstration objectives of a tailless fighter-sized unmanned aircraft to safely take off from and land on the

"First flight represents the compilation of numerous tests to validate the airworthiness of the aircraft, and the robustness and reliability of the software that allows it to operate as an autonomous system and eventually have the ability to take-off and land aboard an aircraft carrier," said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, the Navy's UCAS-D program manager.

Northrop Grumman is the Navy's UCAS-D prime contractor and leader of the UCAS-D industry team.

"Designing a tailless, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft from a clean sheet is no small feat," said Janis Pamiljans, vice president and UCAS-D program manager for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.

"Commitment, collaboration and uncompromising technical excellence among the Navy, Northrop Grumman and the UCAS-D team industry partners made today's flight a reality. We are indeed honored to have given wings to the Navy's vision for exploring unmanned carrier aviation."

Taking off under hazy skies, the X-47B climbed to an altitude of 5,000 feet, flew several racetrack-type patterns, and landed safely at 2:38 p.m. PST. The flight provided test data to verify and validate system software for guidance and navigation, and the aerodynamic control of the tailless design.

As with all test programs, first flight represents the culmination, verification and certification of pre-flight system data collected and analyzed by both the Navy and Northrop Grumman.

Airframe proof load tests, propulsion system accelerated mission tests, software maturity and reliability simulations, full system taxi tests, and numerous other system test activities were all completed and certified prior to first flight.

The aircraft will remain at Edwards AFB for flight envelope expansion before transitioning to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., later this year. There, the system will undergo additional tests to validate its readiness to begin testing in the maritime and carrier environment. The UCAS-D program is preparing the X-47B for carrier trials in 2013.

The Navy awarded the UCAS-D prime contract to Northrop Grumman in August 2007. The six-year contract calls for the development of two X-47B fighter-sized aircraft.

The program will demonstrate the first-ever carrier launches and recoveries by an autonomous, unmanned aircraft with a low-observable-relevant planform. Autonomous aerial refueling will also be performed after carrier integration and at-sea trials.

Northrop Grumman's industry team includes GKN Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Pratt and Whitney, Eaton, GE, Hamilton Sundstrand, Dell, Honeywell, Goodrich, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace and Rockwell Collins.

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X-47B UCAS Demonstrator Makes First Flight

US Navy/Northrop Grumman team move closer to carrier trials

 The US Navy is one large step closer to introducing its first carrier-based unmanned combat aircraft. On Friday, 4 February, the Northrop Grumman-built X-47B successfully completed its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The X-47B is an unmanned combat air system (UCAS) technology demonstrator designed as 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-minute maiden flight above Rogers Dry Lake. This flight was an important milestone to prove the aircraft’s basic aeronautical capabilities and performance. Friday’s successful test flight allows the team to move ahead in the process of demonstrating its technological abilities to develop an operational fighter-sized unmanned aircraft that can safely operate from a US Navy aircraft carrier. 

Janis Pamiljans, vice president and UCAS-D program manager for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector, confirmed 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 – with many firsts still to come when carrier trials begin in 2013.

Northrop Grumman was selected as the US Navy’s UCAS-D prime contractor in August 2007 when it was assigned 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, “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 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 might be too dangerous for manned fighters. It will feature a twin weapons bay which opens under its flat belly with a capacity to carry a 4,500lb payload.

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)

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UCAS-D completes successful first flight

Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. -- An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator completed its first flight here today, an essential step in the Navy’s ground-breaking effort to design, develop and integrate an autonomous unmanned air system on an aircraft carrier.

                                The X-47-B takes to the skies at Edwards AFB on the first flight.

“Today we got a glimpse towards the future as the Navy’s first-ever tailless, jet-powered unmanned aircraft took to the skies,” remarked Capt. Jaime Engdahl, Program Manager for the Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration, after observing the X-47B maiden flight at EAFB today. 

A dedicated Navy and Northrop Grumman team operated the X-47B UCAS-D from a ground control station at Edwards. The 29-minute flight was conducted at 5,000 ft. with landing gear down; the vehicle flew a racetrack pattern over the dry lakebed with standard-rate turns.

                            The Navy X-47B flies over Edwards AFB, Calif. on its maiden flight.

“The success of today’s flight can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of our integrated government and industry team," Engdahl said.

The X-47B’s initial flight marks the start of a year-long, approximately 50-flight, envelope expansion test program at Edwards. The first of two aircraft will complete its initial testing in late 2011 and the second aircraft will begin testing shortly thereafter. After completion of initial airworthiness testing in California, each aircraft will be transported to Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. for the remainder of the carrier demonstration program. 

“We are breaking new ground by developing the first unmanned jet aircraft to take off and land aboard a flight deck,” said Rear Adm. Bill Shannon, Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. “This demonstration program is intended to reduce risk for potential future unmanned systems operating in and around aircraft carriers.” 

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