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Yes, but was it controlled by data link, line of sight radio, microwave,VHF, any and all electronic signals going out from the boat to control the UAV is going out to the world saying, “Here I am, come and get me!” Which is why even at night most carrier landing approaches are not even mode 1, 2, or 3 with or without the tadpole. The ICLS and LLS system only is used and sometimes not even that, so there is little electronic signal coming from the boat to pick up or trace. If the software is good enough to find the boat with data link and use on board sensors to land autonomously than good. If the satellite is down with no data link than does it fly to preset GPS coordinates to marshall and find where the boat should be? There is no fear in a UAV of a night time pitching rolling deck, but this test landing was on a flat fixed deck, how does it do in a real world rough sea condition? UAV’s will never be that good to rely 100% on something that must be stealthy and electronically silent from takeoff to landing and not just in between. They have there place as a tool but will never replace the pilot and the meatball(FLOLS).

Slow to retract hook there, nugget: better work on that deck technique.

Seriously, congratulations to all: that was a nice landing. Was it graded OK-3?