US Navy X-47B Unmanned Combat Aircraft Completes Historic First Flight

The Northrop Grumman -built U.S. Navy X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) aircraft has successfully completed its historic first flight at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), Calif.

Conducted by a U.S. Navy/Northrop Grumman test team, the flight took off at 2:09 p.m. PST and lasted 29 minutes. This event marks a critical step in the program, moving the team forward to meet the demonstration objectives of a tailless fighter-sized unmanned aircraft to safely take off from and land on the

"First flight represents the compilation of numerous tests to validate the airworthiness of the aircraft, and the robustness and reliability of the software that allows it to operate as an autonomous system and eventually have the ability to take-off and land aboard an aircraft carrier," said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, the Navy's UCAS-D program manager.

Northrop Grumman is the Navy's UCAS-D prime contractor and leader of the UCAS-D industry team.

X-47B UCAS Demonstrator Makes First Flight

US Navy/Northrop Grumman team move closer to carrier trials

 The US Navy is one large step closer to introducing its first carrier-based unmanned combat aircraft. On Friday, 4 February, the Northrop Grumman-built X-47B successfully completed its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The X-47B is an unmanned combat air system (UCAS) technology demonstrator designed as a stealthy long-range reconnaissance and strike aircraft. 

According to Northrop Grumman, the tailless, delta-shaped aircraft took off at 2:09 pm PST and performed a 29-minute maiden flight above Rogers Dry Lake. This flight was an important milestone to prove the aircraft’s basic aeronautical capabilities and performance. Friday’s successful test flight allows the team to move ahead in the process of demonstrating its technological abilities to develop an operational fighter-sized unmanned aircraft that can safely operate from a US Navy aircraft carrier. 

UCAS-D completes successful first flight

Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. -- An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator completed its first flight here today, an essential step in the Navy’s ground-breaking effort to design, develop and integrate an autonomous unmanned air system on an aircraft carrier.

                                The X-47-B takes to the skies at Edwards AFB on the first flight.

“Today we got a glimpse towards the future as the Navy’s first-ever tailless, jet-powered unmanned aircraft took to the skies,” remarked Capt. Jaime Engdahl, Program Manager for the Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration, after observing the X-47B maiden flight at EAFB today.