The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator has completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush off the coast of Virginia.
The tailless strike fighter-sized unmanned composite aircraft is currently under development by Northrop Grumman as part of the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The aircraft was controlled from onboard the ship and was guided safely back to a runway on the mainland, now that this prototype has proved it can cope with sea launches, other trails have been planned that will navigation and landing features to the test.