Northrop Grumman Reveals First Navy Unmanned Combat Aircraft

>Northrops X-47B Navy Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) will be used to demonstrate UCAV operations from aircraft carriers. (Northrop Grumman photo)PALMDALE, Calif. --- Northrop Grumman today unveiled the first of the U.S. Navy's new unmanned combat aircraft at a ceremony here attended by Navy officials, state and local government representatives, suppliers and Northrop Grumman employees. The new aircraft, designated the X-47B Navy Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS), is the first of two aircraft Northrop Grumman will produce for the Navy to demonstrate unmanned combat aircraft operations from the deck of an aircraft carrier.>> Unveiling the first X-47B UCAS aircraft signals a sea change in military aviation, made possible through the Navy's vision and leadership,'' said Scott Winship, Northrop Grumman vice president and Navy UCAS program manager. I'm extremely proud of the Northrop Grumman-led industry team for its tireless dedication and hard work accomplishing this important milestone.''>> The Navy awarded the demonstration contract to Northrop Grumman in 2007 and aircraft assembly was completed in just over a year.>> The X-47B will demonstrate how unmanned combat aircraft can operate from aircraft carriers and is a necessary first step toward extending the aircraft carrier's reach and power projection from anywhere in the world,'' said Capt. Martin Deppe, the U.S. Navy Unmanned Combat Aircraft System Program Manager. We look forward to a time when we can introduce a new long range, persistent, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) -- strike capability to the carrier decks of tomorrow.