Northrop Grumman X-47B

Northrop Grumman X-47B
Paese	Usa
Ruolo	Veicolo aereo da combattimento senza equipaggio
Primo volo	4 febbraio 2011
Costruito	2

Le Northrop Grumman X-47B è un veicolo aereo da combattimento senza equipaggio dimostrativo (UCAV) progettato per le operazioni basate su portaerei. Sviluppato dalla società americana di tecnologia della difesa Northrop Grumman, il progetto X-47 iniziò come parte del programma J-UCAS della DARPA, e successivamente divenne parte del programma Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) della Marina degli Stati Uniti. L'X-47B è un aereo a corpo misto a getto senza coda in grado di operazioni semi-autonome e rifornimento aereo.

fonte: Northrop Grumman X-47B su Wikipedia

Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAS-D Cammina
Fotografo	Vladimir Jakubov
Localizzazione	Edwards Air Force Base Air Show
Foto	51

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General Characteristics and Role

The Northrop Grumman X-47B was an experimental, tailless, stealth-optimized jet aircraft developed under the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. Its primary role was to demonstrate the feasibility of operating an autonomous, high-endurance, fixed-wing aircraft from an aircraft carrier. The X-47B pioneered several critical naval aviation technologies, including autonomous catapult launch, arrested recovery, and autonomous aerial refueling, proving that uncrewed, large-scale systems could fully integrate into carrier operations. Its design is characterized by its distinct “flying wing” shape, which minimizes radar visibility.

Property	Typical Value (X-47B Demonstrator)
Ruolo	Experimental Autonomous Carrier-Based UCAV
National Origin	Stati Uniti
Produttore	Northrop Grumman
First Flight	3 February 2011
Equipaggio	0 (Autonomous or Ground-Controlled)
Lunghezza	11.63 m (38 ft 2 in)
Wingspan (Unfolded)	18.92 m (62 ft 1 in)
Wingspan (Folded)	9.41 m (30 ft 10 in)
Maximum Takeoff Weight	Approx. 20,000 kg (44,000 lb)

Powerplant and Carrier Capabilities

Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U turbofan engine.
Key Carrier Milestones: In July 2013, the X-47B completed the world’s first autonomous arrested landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier (USS George H.W. Bush). It later demonstrated autonomous catapult launch and in 2015, completed the first autonomous aerial refueling with a KC-707 tanker.
Stealth Features: The tailless configuration and the placement of the engine inlet atop the fuselage contribute to its very low observable (VLO) stealth characteristics.
Endurance: The platform was designed for very long endurance, potentially allowing for orbit times far exceeding those of crewed fighters.
Weapons Bay: The airframe included two internal weapons bays, capable of carrying approximately 2,000 kg (4,500 lb) of ordnance.

Program Outcome and Legacy

Success: The UCAS-D program was highly successful, validating every key technology required for a large, unmanned, stealthy platform to operate seamlessly within a carrier air wing.
Retirement: The program concluded in 2015, as its goal was technology demonstration, not production. The Navy opted to use the lessons learned to pursue the Carrier-Based Air Refueling System (CBARS) program, which evolved into the MQ-25 Stingray.
Influence: The X-47B’s autonomous capabilities and aerodynamic design are considered foundational for the development of the next generation of U.S. Navy and Air Force unmanned platforms.
Preservation: The two X-47B airframes are now preserved: one is at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and the other is at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.