The American military-industrial company Northrop Grumman, which operates in the field of electronics and information technology, aerospace, and shipbuilding, has created the X-47B tailless jet for the US Navy (U. S. Navy).
This device was built as part of the unmanned combat systems demonstration program. The X-47B is comparable in size to a fighter and is an autonomous system capable of independently performing combat missions. According to experts, this is a new step in the creation and development of such machines.
On February 4, 2011, the X-47B made its maiden flight at the American Air Force Base in California.
The test flight lasted 29 minutes, during the flight the drone reached a flight altitude of 1.5 km. made several maneuvers in the air and landed safely. The X-47B's navigation and aerodynamic control systems were also tested during this flight. The device was controlled by commands from the ground, but the possibility of X-47B flights according to the program is also provided.
The new robotic bomber is equipped, among other things, with an autonomous air refueling system, which is planned to be tested after tests of the aircraft at sea.
Northrop Grumman said in a press release, “The aircraft will remain at Edwards AFB for further testing. It will later be relocated to the Maryland Naval Testing Center.” Under a contract with the US Navy, the company will soon build another copy of the X-47B.
The first tests of combat drones X-47B on aircraft carriers, with takeoff and landing on deck, are scheduled for 2013.
