Posted on 02/04/2011 6:51:26 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Northrop Grumman’s X-47B unmanned combat air system (UCAS-D) demonstrator successfully completed its long-delayed first flight at Edwards AFB, Calif on Feb 4. The stealthy, single-engine UCAS took off early in the afternoon Pacific time and landed some 29 mins later, having achieved an altitude of 5,000-ft. Aimed at gathering air vehicle management system data, the first flight also marks the start of a roughly 50-flight, year-long Block 1 envelope expansion test campaign at Edwards AFB. Initial flight rate is expected to be once per week, rising to twice a week later in 2011.
Northrop and U.S. Navy officials passed the tailless, flying wing demonstrator for taxi tests at a flight readiness review in early November
(Excerpt) Read more at aviationweek.com ...
Just looks like a mini Stealth, to me. I think it’s a beaut!
Is that a SkyNet logo on the top? Just wondering. :)
How do you keep these things from being jammed? At some point they become the answer to the new Chinese stealth fighter, but that means they must fly autonomously for long periods. That’s a lotta lines of code.
Why am I thinking “Deal of the Century”?
ping
You call Lord Helmet and Colonel Sandurz over...
Didn’t Nortrup’s origional small flying wing have a 47’ wingspan?
It looks identical to his first one.
The wingspan was 53 feet
“The wingspan was 53 feet”
On which one, he made 3 models , small medium and large!
I think the only origional small one that flew was one that old employees scrounged up the parts and put it together about 25 years ago.
The large one. I sorry that I did not specify.
Like I tell the kids, the future is obviously unmanned and autonomous.
Like Rosanna Rosannadanna says, XB47 is old technology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:XB-47-1_300.jpg
I was trying to remember that movie, thanks.
>>Like I tell the kids, the future is obviously unmanned and autonomous.<<
Like my first marriage...
Somehow I can’t see Hollywood making “Top Gun” based on a bunch of guys sitting in the O-club wiggling their thumbs to brag about their latest ‘combat’ sortie.
Though it would be damn funny.
And it is the future.
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