X-47B

The X-47B is a tailless, fighter-sized unmanned combat air system demonstrator built by Northrop Grumman for the US Navy, first flown on 4 February 2011 as part of the Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) programme.

Overview

Northrop Grumman was awarded the UCAS-D contract in 2007 to design, build and flight-test two X-47B demonstrators exploring whether a low-observable, autonomous unmanned aircraft could operate from an aircraft carrier alongside manned aircraft. The programme was a Navy technology demonstration rather than a production combat programme, and no operational X-47B squadron was ever fielded.

The first aircraft flew on 4 February 2011 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, with the second demonstrator following in November 2011.

Design and capabilities

The X-47B is a tailless flying-wing design 11.63 m long with an 18.9 m wingspan (folding to 9.4 m for carrier stowage) and a maximum take-off weight of 20,185 kg. It is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F100-220U turbofan, giving a high-subsonic cruise speed and a top speed of about 966 km/h, a service ceiling of 12,800 m and a range of about 3,900 km. Two internal weapon bays were designed to carry up to 2,000 kg of ordnance, though the demonstrator aircraft were never armed. The design emphasises a low-observable shape intended to demonstrate stealthy unmanned carrier operations.

Operational history

In May 2013, an X-47B became the first unmanned aircraft to be catapult-launched from a US aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, and in July 2013 it completed the first arrested carrier landing by a UAV. In August 2014 it flew integrated operations alongside manned F/A-18 Hornets in the carrier pattern, and in April 2015 it completed the first fully autonomous aerial refuelling of an unmanned aircraft. The Navy initially planned to retire the demonstrators to museums in 2015 but reversed that decision in July 2015 to keep them in flying condition; both aircraft were later moved to Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, California facility, where they remained retired from active flight test as of the most recent public reporting.

Variants

Only two X-47B demonstrator airframes were built; the programme did not proceed to a production variant, though its carrier-integration lessons fed into the Navy's later MQ-25 Stingray carrier-based unmanned tanker programme.

Frequently asked questions

What was the X-47B used for?

It was a US Navy technology demonstrator that proved autonomous carrier launch, recovery and aerial refuelling for unmanned aircraft.

Was the X-47B ever armed or used in combat?

No — its weapon bays were designed to carry ordnance, but the demonstrators were never armed or flown in combat.

How many X-47B aircraft were built?

Two demonstrator airframes were built under the UCAS-D programme.

Is the X-47B still flying?

No — both aircraft are retired from flight test and held at Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, California facility.