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.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Donger

I've got a couple of problems with this.

First, our access to overseas ports, forward operating locations and airspace around the world shouldn't be diminishing. Thanks, Obama!

Second, so what if critics say drone strikes cause widespread civilian deaths? The truth is that they cause less collateral damage and fewer friendly casualties than more conventional attacks. What critics really object to is that it makes it safer for the US to launch attacks in the first place.

[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.

[boogblaster]

kool aircraft .....

[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.

[Molitoth]

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

Wonderful that we put our minds together on ways to kill each other off, rather than put our minds together on trying to survive as a race.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Donger

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

It's just the beginning though. Once they make drones totally self-sufficient, these things can out maneuver any piloted craft because it won't have to worry about blacking out / crushing the meatbag riding in the fuselage.

[Mr. Laz]

X-47B = drone
George H.W. Bush = drone


coincidence?

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Molitoth

Wonderful that we put our minds together on ways to kill each other off, rather than put our minds together on trying to survive as a race.

That's beautiful.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

X-47B = drone
George H.W. Bush = drone


coincidence?

You have a beef with GHWB?

[Dayze]

I grabbed the satellite info using a huge GPS unit for download so pilots could grab it and upload to their bricks for the first successful launch of the JSOW.

but it's nothing near as cool as this.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hate to tell ya pal but I've been working with "self-aware" tech since 2010. Not just a set of algorithms, possibilities, rules etc. Real live decision making on what "it" thinks is the best decision based on its past history of its own decisions. It's some ****ing amazing tech. There are skynet jokes almost daily.

[LiveSteam]

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by Molitoth

Wonderful that we put our minds together on ways to kill each other off, rather than put our minds together on trying to survive as a race.

Why don't we all work and then share the fruits equally right? Doesn't work.

[Donger]

First carrier landing. Looks like a three wire, too.

[CrazyPhuD]

Skynet approves!