The US Navy is collaborating with weapons manufacturer Northrop Grumman to produce a new generation of unmanned drones.
The X-47B has completed its first test flight, reaching an altitude of 5,000 feet in the 29 minutes it was in the air.
The jet is very different from the Navy’s current fleet of remote controlled planes such as the Predator and Reaper.
The X-47B, which will be virtually invisible to radar, will also be capable of flying faster speeds than these older models.
The innovative X-47B is a radical departure for unmanned aircraft because it can carry out pre-programmed missions autonomously with a computer handling everything from take-off, landing and mid-air refueling. This was all previously controlled by a ground based human pilot.
Navy Rear Admiral Bill Shannon said: “We are breaking new ground by developing the first unmanned jet aircraft to take off and land aboard a flight deck.
“This demonstration program is intended to reduce risk for potential future unmanned systems operating in and around aircraft carriers.”
Janis Pamiljans, Vice-President of Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector, said: "Designing a tailless, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft from a clean sheet is no small feat.
"We are indeed honoured to have given wings to the Navy's vision for exploring unmanned carrier aviation."
For related news, read our article about Bombardier's latest project, Learjet85 - an innovation in aviation
The X-47B has completed its first test flight, reaching an altitude of 5,000 feet in the 29 minutes it was in the air.
The jet is very different from the Navy’s current fleet of remote controlled planes such as the Predator and Reaper.
The X-47B, which will be virtually invisible to radar, will also be capable of flying faster speeds than these older models.
The innovative X-47B is a radical departure for unmanned aircraft because it can carry out pre-programmed missions autonomously with a computer handling everything from take-off, landing and mid-air refueling. This was all previously controlled by a ground based human pilot.
Navy Rear Admiral Bill Shannon said: “We are breaking new ground by developing the first unmanned jet aircraft to take off and land aboard a flight deck.
“This demonstration program is intended to reduce risk for potential future unmanned systems operating in and around aircraft carriers.”
Janis Pamiljans, Vice-President of Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector, said: "Designing a tailless, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft from a clean sheet is no small feat.
"We are indeed honoured to have given wings to the Navy's vision for exploring unmanned carrier aviation."
For related news, read our article about Bombardier's latest project, Learjet85 - an innovation in aviation
