The X-47B successfully conducted the first ever Autonomous Aerial Refueling of an unmanned aircraft April 22. Here are five things to know about the milestone. The refueling completed the final test objective under the Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System demonstration program. While flying off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, …

By Lt. Cmdr. Brian “Dumpy” Hall X-47B Government Flight Test Director Recently, I was asked to share my thoughts on the upcoming X-47B detachment aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as we prepare to demonstrate limited integration of an unmanned system into the carrier air wing.  So here I sit …

By Capt. Beau Duarte Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager One year ago, Sailors watched an unmanned air vehicle take-off from a nuclear-powered carrier flight deck for the first time in naval aviation history. May 14, 2013 was an extraordinary day for the Navy.  The crew from USS George H.W. Bush launched …

You’ve seen the unmanned X-47B fly during the day. Now, see this modern and advanced autonomous aircraft fly at night. X-47B conducted its first night flight April 10 over Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.  Night flights are the next incremental step in developing the operations concept for more routine …

Below is a photo for the history books. It shows a tailless, unmanned autonomous aircraft landing on an aircraft carrier. It’s a first for the Navy.  Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Wednesday’s milestone on Twitter. The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator completed the arrested landing on the flight …

By Capt. Jaime Engdahl Program Manager, Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Wednesday is a big day for the U.S. Navy. It is the day X-47B “Salty Dog 502” departs Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and heads for USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), sailing off the coast of Virginia, to make …

While the launch of the first unmanned aircraft from a carrier made U.S. Navy history, our Sailors were still very much involved.   What was it like to be a part of X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator’s catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) on May 14? Find out from …

U.S. Navy aviation achieved a historic milestone today. The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator (UCAS-D) completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia, May 14.   The unmanned aircraft launched from the deck of George H.W. Bush at …

Updated May 14 at 1:41 p.m.: The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia, May 14. By Rear Adm. Mat Winter Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons Naval aviation will …

Yesterday was a big day for Naval Aviation, as the Navy hoisted the first X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator on board the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Later this month the Navy is preparing for another first when a team from the Navy Unmanned Combat Air …