X-47B UCAS-D programme gathers pace
The US Naval Air Systems Command has revealed that the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) programme is set to reach a number of important milestones this summer, with the first flight scheduled to take place at Pax River Naval Air Station, and the second vehicle due to arrive from Edwards Air Force Base.
The X-47B is the first unmanned vehicle designed to take off and land on an aircraft carrier. As part of the programme’s demonstration, the X-47B will perform arrested landings and catapult launches at Pax to validate its ability to conduct precision approaches to the carrier. The base is one of only a few sites in the world where the Navy can run performance tests on aircraft-carrier catapult operations at a land-based facility with flight test and engineering support resources not available on a ship.
The X-47B aircraft has already performed taxi testing at Pax River to validate the overall reliability of the system; as well as undertaking tests to determine the aircraft's ability to catch an arresting wire on an aircraft carrier.
Like manned aircraft, the air vehicle is scheduled to begin six weeks of electronic vulnerability testing at the Naval Electromagnetic Radio Facility (NERF). This test verifies there are no electrical disturbance, signal, or emission issues that cause an undesired response or malfunction of a subsystem or component.
After completing standard ground tests and system check-outs, the programme anticipates several major milestones, beginning with first flight.
Source: By the Shephard News Team - 17 May 2012
Photo: The US Naval Air Systems Command X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) (Photo by shephardmedia.com)
(5/17/2012)
|
|
| |
• The Van Horn Way
(4/21/2013)
In aeronautical engineering, success can often be based on failure — that ability to learn from one’s mistakes and move forward in a new direction. Non-linear thinking is often par...>>
• F-15 test pilots now using advanced helmets
(4/17/2013)
USAF F-15 test pilots at Robins are learning to use futuristic helmet technology....>>
• Guard rescue center completes 5,000th mission
(4/4/2013)
Members of the Alaska (11th Air Force) Rescue Coordination Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, completed their 5,000th mission (since July 1, 1994) March 27....>>
• USN BAMS-D exceeds 10,000 hour milestone
(4/3/2013)
The Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance-Demonstrator (BAMS-D) surpasses 10,000 flight hours April 1, marking another milestone for Navy unmanned aviation....>>
• In the New York City that Never Sleeps
(4/2/2013)
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Sgt. James Coan "a pilot with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Aviation Unit" was in the middle of his daily routine of taking his dogs ...>>
• U.S. Navy EP-3E is used with success for 7 years
(3/29/2013)
The U.S. Navy EP-3E Aries Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance aircraft departs from the L-3 Communications modification facility in Waco, and heads to Naval Air Station Patuxent Riv...>>
• U.S. Navy F-35B successfully completes AIM-120 separation
(3/28/2013)
On March 26, the F-35B Lightning II became the first F-35 variant to complete airborne weapons separations on three different munitions, the most of any model....>>
|
|
|
4/5 Generation Fighters 
