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

[jiveturkey]

Originally Posted by Donger

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

Got it.

[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.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

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.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

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

When the wings are swept forward, it probably degrades it's stealth profile pretty seriously, but most likely, they're only swept forward for takeoff and landing.

Edit: I think I misunderstood based on the picture. If the wings don't sweep forward at all, I doubt that the fact that the wings fold are much of a concern when the plane is in flight.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by patteeu

When the wings are swept forward, it probably degrades it's stealth profile pretty seriously, but most likely, they're only swept forward for takeoff and landing.

Edit: I think I misunderstood based on the picture. If the wings don't sweep forward at all, I doubt that the fact that the wings fold are much of a concern when the plane is in flight.

No, the wings of the 47B are not forward-swept.

[Gonzo]

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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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 Donger

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

Not just that but think about the marathon flights they can pull by rotating pilots.

[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.”

[Chief Faithful]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

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.”

Missile evation can be programmed and if it doesn't work so what? Today we have to be so careful because the pilot is the most unreplaceable resource, but with drones that pilot is on the other side of the earth in a bunker. I imagine fighters will be able to out perform older systems and cost less to manufacture and maintain.

Imagine, a bomber that can out perform an F18.

[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?