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X-47B UCAS-D Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator
U.S. Navy / Northrop Grumman
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The X-47B is a tailless, strike fighter-sized unmanned aircraft currently under development by Northrop Grumman as part of the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program.
In August 2007, the U.S. Navy selected Northrop Grumman as the prime contractor for the Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The program will demonstrate the first-ever carrier launches and recoveries, and autonomous aerial refueling by an autonomous, low-observable-representative unmanned aircraft.
To date, Northrop Grumman has designed and built two tailless, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft designated the X-47B. First flight of Air Vehicle-1 (AV-1) occurred on Feb. 4, 2011. Since that date, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy conducted several successful launch and recovery at sea.
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Variants:
X-47A: Original proof-of-concept prototype with a 19-foot (5.9-m) wingspan, first flown in 2003
X-47B: Demonstrator aircraft, first flown in 2011
X-47C: Proposed larger version with a payload of 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) and a wingspan of 172 ft (52.4 m)
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| Technical Data |
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| Design |
Tailless, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft with focus on low observability. Airframe built of composite materials.
Design considerations included:
- Resistance to the corrosive saltwater environment
- Deck handling for launch and recovery
- Integration with command and control systems
- Operation in an aircraft carrier's high-electromagnetic-interference environment
- Penetrating protected airspace |
| Weapons |
2 weapon bays, providing for up to 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) of ordnance
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| Sensors, Electronics and Decoys |
- Optronic/Electro-optic sensors
- Synthetic aperture radar
- Electronic Support Measures (ESM) sensors
- Moving Target Indicators |
| Powerplant |
| Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U turbofan |
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| Specifications |
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Type
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Carrier-capable Unmanned Combat Air System
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Crew
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none (semi-autonomous unmanned system)
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Operators
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USA
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Performance
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Top Speed: High Subsonic
Range: > 2,100 nm
Altitude: >40,000 ft
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Designer
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Northrop Grumman
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First Flight
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February 4, 2011
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Engines
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1x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U turbofan
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Dimensions
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Length: 38.2 ft (11.63 m)
Wingspan: 62.1 ft / 30.9 ft folded (18.92 m/9.41 m)
Height: 10.4 ft (3.10 m)
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