Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAS-D aircraft for US Navy completes first flight

The Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) aircraft has successfully completed its historic first flight at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The X-47B is Northrop Grumman’s tailless aircraft built for the US Navy, which is moving closer to carrier trials in 2013.

This event marks a critical step in the programme, 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 deck of a US Navy aircraft carrier.

Northrop Grumman is the Navy’s UCAS-D prime contractor and leader of the UCAS-D industry team. Conducted by a US Navy/Northrop Grumman test team, the flight lasted for 29 minutes. Taking off under hazy skies, the X-47B climbed to an altitude of 5,000 feet, flew several racetrack-type patterns, and landed safely. 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 programmes, the first flight represents the culmination, verification and certification of pre-flight system data collected and analysed 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 the first flight.