Navy to attempt 1st unmanned carrier landing

[kach22i]

Navy to attempt 1st unmanned carrier landing
Navy to attempt 1st unmanned carrier landing

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Navy will attempt to land a drone the size of a fighter jet aboard an aircraft carrier for the first time Wednesday, showcasing the military's capability to have a computer program perform one of the most difficult tasks a pilot is asked to do.

If all goes as planned, a successful landing of the X-47B experimental aircraft will mean the Navy can move forward with its plans to develop another unmanned aircraft that will join the fleet alongside traditional airplanes to provide around-the-clock surveillance while also possessing a strike capability. The aircraft's success would pave the way for the U.S. to launch unmanned aircraft without the need to obtain permission from other countries to use their bases..........

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We have seen the helicopter UAV's landing on a carrier posted in this forum before. Somehow I thought something of this size has been done before.

[JJ 911SC]

Its the future.

[ZOO]

I didn't think the drones were so big . . .

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by ZOO

I didn't think the drones were so big . . .

This one is huge because of the endurance and payload requirements. Some UAS are very large...they are unmanning blimps!

The first UAS helo landing onboard ship was in 2006 om the USS Nashville, not a carrier.

That was my operation and system, FireScout.

[dtw]

That plane has a seriously Skynet vibe to it.

[krystar]

more like the movie Stealth with jamie foxx and jessica biel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stealth_(film)

[BReif61]

This is so cool. I hope it works out.

[John Rogers]

No big deal, during Vietnam, the A6 Intruders could take off, fly to a set target, bomb it and the return to the Big E and land all by computer. The pilot didn't have to touch the stick.

[M.D. Holloway]

Pretty much how commercial craft flies today - pilots are there for the passengers piece of mind.

[Jim Richards]

Still, it's pretty cool stuff. Go Navy!

[rusnak]

I like how they're signaling to the drone to take off, haha! Might as well give it the ol thumbs up sign too.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I like how they're signaling to the drone to take off, haha! Might as well give it the ol thumbs up sign too.

They are also signaling to the cat operator and everyone else on deck. They want to stick to procedure so nothing goes wrong.

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I like how they're signaling to the drone to take off, haha! Might as well give it the ol thumbs up sign too.

Landlubber!

The only Pilots that really "take off" of their own accord on a Carrier are Helo.

The Cat Officer has taken the signals from other members of the launch team and is giving the signal to proceed with the launch notifying Deck crew that the aircraft is cleared to take off at the push of the cat button by the cat operator (sitting at the hatch controls).

The launch of the first unmanned drone was back in May. However, it did not return to the Carrier. This will be the first attempt at a Carrier landing.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by john rogers

No big deal
.

very big deal - without a pilot in the aircraft, you can design for a much, much higher performance envelope

you can also undertake missions w/o risking the life of an American

[tcar]

Landed.

Navy, Northrop Score Historic First With Successful X-47B Drone Carrier Landing « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary


OOPS... sorry, I hadn't watched the video.

DID NOT LAND, just did a touch and go.

That's not a trap.

Did not have an arresting hook down.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by tcar

Landed.

Navy, Northrop Score Historic First With Successful X-47B Drone Carrier Landing « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary

The congressman's comments got me to thinking.

Range:
Northrop Grumman X-47B - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The X-47B has a maximum unrefueled range of over 2,100 nautical miles (3,900 km), and an endurance of more than six hours.

Specifications (F/A-18E/F)
Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Range: 1,275 nmi (2,346 km) clean plus two AIM-9s[

I have not yet found the endurance time of the Super Hornet.

The increased stand off distance should make carrier crews more comfortable when dealing with rouge states like Iran.

[RWebb]

carriers - that's fine; but the real fun part is to launch drones from submarines, or submersed emplacements

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by RWebb

carriers - that's fine; but the real fun part is to launch drones from submarines, or submersed emplacements

The visible intimidation factor and "presence" is not there.

Perhaps the same can be said of drones themselves.

[70SATMan]

Who "Called the Ball"?





mmmmmmmmmmm

Jessica Biel

[Jim Richards]

Thinking like a sailor, Michael.




Go Navy!