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-   -   Science US Navy launches X-47B drone from aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=273087)

Donger 05-15-2013 12:09 PM

US Navy launches X-47B drone from aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush
 
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news...w-bush05152013

A drone the size of a fighter jet took off from the deck of an American aircraft carrier for the first time Tuesday in a test flight that could eventually open the way for the U.S. to launch unmanned aircraft from just about any place in the world.

The X-47B is the first drone designed to take off and land on a carrier, meaning the U.S. military would not need permission from other countries to use their bases.

"As our access to overseas ports, forward operating locations and airspace is diminished around the world, the value of the aircraft carrier and the air wing becomes more and more important," Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander of Naval Air Forces Atlantic, said after the flight off the Virginia coast. "So today is history."

The move to expand the capabilities of the nation's drones comes amid growing criticism of America's use of Predators and Reapers to gather intelligence and carry out lethal missile attacks against terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.

Critics in the U.S. and abroad have charged that drone strikes cause widespread civilian deaths and are conducted with inadequate oversight.

Still, defense analysts say drones are the future of warfare.

Donger 05-15-2013 12:09 PM

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/0....0_640_480.JPG

Donger 05-15-2013 12:10 PM

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/0....0_640_480.JPG

Donger 05-15-2013 12:10 PM

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/0...1.0_107_80.JPG

Donger 05-15-2013 12:10 PM

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/0....0_640_480.JPG

Donger 05-15-2013 12:11 PM

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/0....0_640_480.JPG

Donger 05-15-2013 12:15 PM

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3Q4deCcKuVA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

durtyrute 05-15-2013 12:15 PM

The government needs your tax dollars.

Trivers 05-15-2013 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durtyrute (Post 9684458)
The government needs your tax dollars.

Excellent use of those dollars.

Now if we can get drones with lasers (last month's new military advance), no one will consider going head to head with the USA. Suicide.

Never forget what happened to the western Roman Empire.

jiveturkey 05-15-2013 12:36 PM

I wonder how the folding wings affect it's stealth profile. That's got to be a tricky piece of engineering.

Gonzo 05-15-2013 12:39 PM

A lot of young or aspiring fighter-pilots just shat themselves.

I'm telling you all, it's just a matter of time before Skynet becomes self-aware.

Titty Meat 05-15-2013 12:41 PM

Hopefully it crashes

Donger 05-15-2013 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveturkey (Post 9684498)
I wonder how the folding wings affect it's stealth profile. That's got to be a tricky piece of engineering.

They don't.

Radar Chief 05-15-2013 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveturkey (Post 9684498)
I wonder how the folding wings affect it's stealth profile. That's got to be a tricky piece of engineering.

Doubt that matters much if at all.
The main thing about stealth, besides the RF absorbent paint they use, is to reduce the size of flat surfaces so it reflects as little RF back to the source as possible.

Trivers 05-15-2013 12:47 PM

Do they break apart in-flight? :)


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