X-47B completes deck trials aircraft carrier

U.S. X-47B robotic drone aircraft completes deck trials aboard nuclear aircraft carrier.

Would you tell a killer robot where to park? The rise of the machines is one step closer, and this flight director had better get out of the way.

This sleek and stealthy robotic combat drone has just completed its first at-sea trials aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

Part of the X-47B's gruelling evaluation program was to "learn" how to accept instructions from a human deck controller.

Yes, the man in the yellow shirt is waving instructions to a robot.

Taxiing around an aircraft carrier's deck is a difficult and dangerous task, and must become second nature before any pilot - including a robot - is allowed to take-off.

The guy in the green shirt is there to make sure the drone didn't get a mind of its own and run anybody over. The remote-control over-ride is firmly in his grasp.

The two-week deck trials of the stealthy automated drone was the first major step in the US Navy's ambition to deploy advanced combat aircraft without the bother of expensive - and moody - pilots.

"The system has performed outstandingly," said Don Blottenberger, program manager for drone project. "We've learned a lot about the environment that we're in and how compatible the aircraft is with a carrier's flight deck, hangar bays and communication systems."

Lt. Cmdr. Larry Tarver, Truman's aircraft handling officer, said his experience with UCAS-D during its testing was very interesting.

"Getting Sailors to help out and participate was very easy as everyone was curious and excited to work with it," he said.

Source: News Limited Network (theaustralian.com.au) News - 20 February 2013

Photo: The U.S. Navy X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator taxies on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. (Photo by U.S. Navy)


(20.02.2013)