US Navy launches X-47B drone from aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

[Donger]

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]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

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

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Hopefully it crashes

Why?

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by Donger

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

Mostly just a long distance surveillance drone isn’t it?

[jiveturkey]

Originally Posted by Donger

They don't.

What do you mean "they don't"?

This shot looks like it's folded up.

[Joe Seahawk]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

What do you mean "they don't"?

This shot looks like it's folded up.

UMMM..

[Donger]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

What do you mean "they don't"?

This shot looks like it's folded up.

Sorry, I meant that the wings folding don't add much at all to the RCS.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

What do you mean "they don't"?

This shot looks like it's folded up.

“They don’t” affect it’s stealth, I believe is what he’s saying.

[Chief Faithful]

Originally Posted by Donger

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

Take the pilot out of a fighter and you can design fighters that do not have to carry life support systems or design with human limitations in mind such as G force limitations. Fighter designs will be able to leap forward.

[Trivers]

Originally Posted by Donger

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

What happens if you put drone controls in a FY-22?

Will be happening sooner than later. 6th generation (?) fighter will not contain a pilot.

For you SiFi geeks, what was that Stargate TV episode where Jack is flying a fighter drone wearing a 360 degree viewing helmet?

[jiveturkey]

Originally Posted by Donger

Sorry, I meant that the wings folding don't add much at all to the RCS.

Got it.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Mostly just a long distance surveillance drone isn’t it?

The 47B is a demonstrator for UCLASS (Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike System). It's unlikely that the 47B will ever carry weapons, but UCLASS birds will.

[jiveturkey]

Originally Posted by Trivers

What happens if you put drone controls in a FY-22?

Will be happening sooner than later.

For you SiFi geeks, what was that Stargate TV episode where Jack is flying a fighter drone wearing a 360 degree viewing helmet?

Drone fighters are going to change the battlefield a lot more than recon drones IMO. They'll be able to push the physical limits of an air-frame a lot further than they are now.

Image trying to fight something that can easily pull 20g and maintain it?

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Chief Faithful

Take the pilot out of a fighter and you can design fighters that do not have to carry life support systems or design with human limitations in mind such as G force limitations. Fighter designs will be able to leap forward.

Yep, G loading has been a major limitation of our fighters (because of the human) for some time.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by Chief Faithful

Take the pilot out of a fighter and you can design fighters that do not have to carry life support systems or design with human limitations in mind such as G force limitations. Fighter designs will be able to leap forward.

Definitely.
Argued with a couple of fighter pilots when they found out I worked on HAWK. They told me about all the maneuvers they’d use to evade the missile and I simply said, “Can you pull a 110 Degree turn at Mach 3? Cause the HAWK can.”

[mikey23545]

I can just imagine our fighter pilots fighting from inside what looks like a flight simulator, flying drones in combat and simply dominating the skies...