Northrop Grumman X-47B

[matteo16]

Primo volo dell’X-47B UCAS-D

 

5 feb, 2011

 

Il primo aereo da combattimento a pilotaggio remoto destinato alla U.S. Navy, l’X-47B UCAS-D (Unmanned Combat Air System – Demonstration), ha compiuto il suo primo volo della durata di 29 minuti presso la base aerea di Edwards, California.

 

Il primo volo dell’esemplare AV-1 Block 1 arriva al termine di numerose prove statiche e in movimento sulla pista per convalidare l’aerodinamica del velivolo, propulsione, nonché la robustezza e l’affidabilità del software che gli permette di operare come un sistema autonomo e, in futuro, di decollare e atterrare sul ponte di una portaerei.

 

Durante il volo di prova l’X-47B è salito a 5.000 piedi dove sono stati testati la manovrabilità e il comportamento in volo dell’aereo, sistemi di guida e navigazione. I dati raccolti verranno analizzati da un team congiunto della Marina americana e di Northrop Grumman, che guida il consorzio industriale ed è il primo contraente del programma.

 

L’aereo rimarrà alla base di Edwards al fine di espandere l’inviluppo di volo prima di venir consegnato a fine anno alla Naval Air Station Patuxent River, dove inizierà una seconda campagna di test per validarne il grado di prontezza e la resistenza in ambiente marittimo, una volta portato allo standard Block 2, in vista del suo schieramento a bordo di una portaerei nel 2013.

 

Northrop Grumman si è aggiudicata il contratto di sei anni per lo sviluppo di due UCAS-D dalla U.S. Navy nell’agosto del 2007 e l’assemblaggio del primo aereo è stato completato in un anno. Il secondo X-47B, l’AV-2, ha iniziato la fase di test di carico e strutturali in vista del primo volo a fine 2011, inizio 2012. Il programma ha subito un ritardo di circa un anno e mezzo a causa di problemi acustici e di gestione software del motore F100-220U di Pratt & Whitney. I miglioramenti verranno direttamente applicati al velivolo AV-2.

 

Il programma intende dimostrare il primo lancio e recupero da portaerei di un velivolo a pilotaggio remoto con caratteristiche di bassa osservabilità, di dimensione comparabile a quella di un F-18 (circa l’87%), in grado in futuro di compiere una missione di attacco e ritornare autonomamente a bordo della nave. Dopo l’integrazione, il collaudo e le prove in mare nell’ambiente operativo navale, verrà testata anche la capacità di rifornimento autonomo in volo.

 

Al programma UCAS-D X-47B partecipano, oltre il primo contraente Northrop Grumman, anche Dell, Eaton Aerospace, GE Aviation, GKN Aerospace, Goodrich, Hamilton Sundstrand, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Moog, Parker Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Rockwell Collins e Wind River.

 

Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZD8f9X9WD8

Modificato 6 Febbraio 2011 da matteo16

[matteo16]

16:42 - lunedì

Northrop Grumman inizia voli prova di aereo senza pilota X-47B

 

Sacramento, Usa - I test proseguiranno per tre anni

 

 

(WAPA) - Ha preso il via alle 14:09 di venerdì 4 febbraio 2011, presso l'Air force base di Edwards, California, il primo volo dell'aereo da combattimento a pilotaggio remoto (Ucav, unmanned combat air vehicle) X-47B di Northrop Grumman, destinato alla marina statunitense.

 

La dimostrazione, durata mezz'ora, è stata la prima di un programma di test di volo triennale che comprenderà una serie di dimostrazioni alla base aerea di Edwards; in seguito l'aereo sarà trasferito al Patuxent River Naval Air Station, nel Maryland, per sviluppare le capacità aerodinamiche del drone.

 

Presto, inoltre, anche un secondo esemplare di questo Ucav sarà sottoposto a test di volo. Entrambi gli aerei dovrebbero servire a provare che anche un velivolo senza coda può operare in sicurezza nel complesso ambiente operativo delle portaerei, una dimostrazione richiesta nel 2005 dalla Quadrennial Defense Review alla marina americana portò la Us Navy, nel 2007, alla firma del contratto con Northrop.

 

Esperimenti al fine di dimostrare le capacità operative dell'Ucav in questione a bordo delle portaerei dovrebbero prendere il via a partire dal 2013.

 

Prima rientrante nel programma Ucas, Unmanned combat air system, della Darpa, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, l'aereo fa ora parte di quello Ucas-d (Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration) della marina americana.

 

Sviluppato dall'X-47A Pegasus, il veicolo aereo da combattimento senza pilota X-47B ha una lunghezza di 11,63 m, un'apertura alare di 18,92 m e un'altezza di 3,10 m. E' alimentato da un unico motore Pratt & Whitney F100-220U turbo-getto.

(Avionews)

 

Link

[matteo16]

13:55 - mercoledì

Marina Usa soddisfatta di aereo senza pilota X-47B (VIDEO)

 

Washington, Usa - Che ha compiuto il suo volo inaugurale il 4 febbraio

 

 

(WAPA) - La marina degli Stati Uniti si ritiene soddisfatta del primo volo dell'aereo dimostratore da combattimento senza pilota (Ucas-d, Unmanned combat air system demonstrator) X-47B di Northrop Grumman, avvenuto il 4 febbraio 2011, dall'Air force base di Edwards, California.

 

Il capitano Jaime Engdahl, program manager della marina per l'Ucas, ha dichiarato che il successo della prova, della durata di quasi mezz'ora, "Può essere attribuito al duro lavoro e dedizione del nostro team integrato governativo e industriale". E ricordando, come fa parlando al "Wall Street Journal", che gli aerei senza pilota costituiscono "Davvero una sfida", ha aggiunto che si è "Avuto uno sguardo sul futuro appena il primo velivolo jet senza coda a controllo remoto ha preso il volo".

 

Positivo anche il parere dell'ammiraglio Bill Shannon, responsabile del programma esecutivo per gli aerei a controllo remoto e per gli armamenti strike: " Stiamo aprendo una nuova strada attraverso lo sviluppo del primo jet a controllo remoto che decolla e atterra a bordo di un ponte di volo. Questo programma dimostrativo vuole ridurre il rischio di futuri potenziali sistemi operativi che operano in e intorno le portaerei".

 

La prova del 4 febbraio è stata la prima di un programma di test di volo triennale che comprenderà una serie di dimostrazioni presso la base aerea di Edwards; in seguito il velivolo verrà trasferito al Patuxent River Naval Air Station, nel Maryland, per sviluppare le capacità aerodinamiche del drone. In seguito, inoltre, anche un secondo esemplare sarà sottoposto a test di volo. La dimostrazione finale avverrà dal ponte di una portaerei.

 

I voli di prova dei due X-47B servono a dimostrare che anche un velivolo senza coda può operare in sicurezza nel complesso ambiente operativo delle portaerei, una dimostrazione richiesta nel 2005 dalla Quadrennial Defense Review alla marina americana portò la Us Navy, nel 2007, alla firma del contratto con Northrop Grumman.

Link

[matteo16]

Testato il software dell’X-47B a bordo della Eisenhower

 

 

6 lug, 2011

 

La US Navy e Northrop Grumman hanno completato con successo una dimostrazione del software che permetterà all’X-47B di operare dal ponte di una portaerei a partire dai primi test nel 2013.

 

In particolare la prova, condotta il 2 luglio nell’Atlantico occidentale sulla portaerei USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), è consistita in diversi lanci ed appontaggi di un aereo surrogato, un F/A-18D dell’Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, equipaggiato con il software avionico di controllo e navigazione che ha permesso all’aereo di partire e atterrare automaticamente senza l’intervento del pilota, presente comunque a bordo per ragioni di sicurezza.

 

Questa dimostrazione è il culmine di una serie di passaggi incentrati sulla simulazione sul software delle capacità di comando e controllo e scambio dati tra l’aereo e la nave. Successive prove di volo dell’hardware e del software dello UCAS-D installati su un Beechcraft King Air 300 hanno riguardato lo studio dal vivo delle performance di scambio e gestione dei dati dei sistemi di navigazione, missione, comunicazione tra il King Air, che ha volato in prossimità della CVN-69 ancorata a Norfolk, in Virginia, e la portaerei stessa. Di particolare interesse è stata l’analisi del comportamento dei sistemi della nave nell’interagire con l’aereo, in particolare dello strumento utile in fase di atterraggio Precision Global Positioning System (PGPS).

 

Per supportare il velivolo la nave è stata modificata con particolari equipaggiamenti in modo che aereo, operatore di missione e personale di bordo potessero interagire sulla stessa rete. L’LSO, il Landing Signal Officer (LSO), l’addetto sul ponte che segue l’aereo in avvicinamento in fase di atterraggio e l’accompagna fino all’arresto sulla nave con segnali visivi e messaggi vocali, in questo caso comunicava con l’aereo che simulava uno UAS con una speciale interfaccia in dotazione anche alla torre e al centro di controllo del traffico aereo (CATCC).

 

Queste prove consentono di limitare il rischio di programma e facilitare la transizione a bordo delle unità della Marina USA della piattaforma unmanned X-47B, attualmente in fase di test in volo presso la Edwards Air Force Base.

 

 

Link

[matteo16]

Primo volo con carrello alzato per l’X-47B

 

10 ott, 2011

 

Il primo aereo da combattimento a pilotaggio remoto sviluppato da Northrop Grumman per la Marina USA, l’X-47B UCAS-D (Unmanned Combat Air System – Demonstration), ha compiuto il suo primo volo in configurazione da crociera presso la base aerea di Edwards, California.

 

Il volo ha contribuito anche a validare i sistemi hardware e software di navigazione automatica che permetteranno all’X-47B di atterrare con precisione sul ponte in movimento di una portaerei.

 

“Questo volo ci ha permesso di osservare per la prima volta le prestazioni aerodinamiche di crociera dell’X-47B, che stanno superando tutte le nostre previsioni. Il raggiungimento di questo punto critico dimostra la crescente maturità del sistema, e la sua prontezza per la fase successiva di prove di volo”, ha detto Janis Pamiljans, Vice Presidente della divisione NG – Aerospace Systems e Responsabile del programma UCAS nella US Navy.

 

Il recente test faceva parte del piano di graduale espansione dell’inviluppo di volo del velivolo, il primo dei due esemplari costruiti da Northrop Grumman per la Marina Militare USA; queste prove vengono utilizzate per dimostrare le prestazioni generali in una varietà di condizioni di altitudine, velocità e carico di carburante.

 

A fine 2011 l’X-47B passerà in consegna alla Naval Air Station di Patuxent River, Maryland, per poter iniziare nel 2012 i test di idoneità a terra propedeutici alla transizione a bordo della portaerei USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) nel 2013. Per quella data l’insieme di sistemi e procedure per poter operare in sicurezza l’aereo sulla nave, ed integrarlo efficacemente a bordo, dovrà essere completato, in modo da consentire i primi lanci e recuperi del primo UCAV a bassa osservabilità imbarcato.

 

 

Link

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0Oq4qah5LQ0

Modificato 10 Ottobre 2011 da matteo16

[ROBY1]

In particolare la prova, condotta il 2 luglio nell’Atlantico occidentale sulla portaerei USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), è consistita in diversi lanci ed appontaggi di un aereo surrogato, un F/A-18D dell’Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, equipaggiato con il software avionico di controllo e navigazione che ha permesso all’aereo di partire e atterrare automaticamente senza l’intervento del pilota, presente comunque a bordo per ragioni di sicurezza.

Link

 

mmm...gran bel lavoro quello del collaudatore!

Modificato 20 Ottobre 2011 da ROBY1

[TT-1 Pinto]

Abbassate il volume ....

 

I recommend you turn the sound down before watching Northrop Grumman's latest video from X-47B UCAS-D flight tests at Edwards AFB, if you want to avoid being deafened by an overwrought soundtrack.

.... Su "Ares" un nuovo video ....

 

http://goo.gl/6uEkF

 

 

.... a me questo "aggeggio" riporta alla memoria ....

 

 

 

 

.... il "Falco" .... che però era pilotato da MM ....

[Andrea75]

Ecco alcune immagini source

 

 

 

 

[Andrea75]

Segnalo un articolo sulla versione navale Naval Air, Unmanned: US Navy Flying Toward N-UCAS

 

[TopGunMatteo]

Mi spiegate un attimino che ruolo avrebbe? E' un bombardiere?

Modificato 12 Giugno 2012 da TopGunMatteo

[Andrea75]

Mi spiegate un attimino che ruolo avrebbe? E' un bombardiere?

 

ecco il link Naval Air, Unmanned: US Navy Flying Toward N-UCAS

 

 

solo alcuni estratti

 

... to create Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV) for the USAF and Navy that could approach the capabilities of an F-117 stealth fighter...

N-UCAS (Naval Unmanned Combat Air System) is the US Navy’s broader umbrella initiative to define/develop/produce a fleet of unmanned, carrier based strike and surveillance aircraft. The UCAS-D demonstration program is a subset of that initiative. If the demonstrations go well, the Navy may progress to an Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program.

...

carrier-based launches and recoveries of a tailless, autonomous, “LO-relevant” aircraft. “Low Observable relevant” means that its outer shape must reflect stealth requirements, but without any of the operational stealth coatings and other expensive measures.

 

Altri link

Navy Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS)

 

Specifications

 

Overall Length: 38.2 feet

Wingspan: 62.1 Feet

Height: 10.4 feet

Aircraft Carrier Takeoff Gross Weight: approximately 44,500 pounds

Speed: High subsonic

Power Plant: one Pratt & Whitney F100-220U engine

Payload Provisions: 4500 pounds, plus allowance for electro-optical, infrared, radar and electronic support measures sensors

Autonomous Aerial Refueling Provisions: US Navy and US Air Force styles

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Taking Shape On Board Lincoln

[-{-Legolas-}-]

Il suo ruolo primario sarebbe l'attacco.

 

Come indicato qui su Naval Air se ne farebbe un uso particolare:

 

The X-47B isn’t being designed to do what the type inherently does poorly, but to do what the type does inherently well: be stealthier than manned aircraft, and fly reliably on station for days using aerial refueling support. If Northrop Grumman or emerging competitors can overcome those challenges, and if UCAV reliability lets them match the 2-3 day long mission profiles of Northrop Grumman’s RQ-4 Global Hawks, the US Navy would receive the equivalent of a carrier-borne F-117 stealth fighter, with improved stealth and no pilot fatigue limits. That would open up entirely new possibilities for American carriers.

 

Nuove possibilità, come ad esempio lanciare gli UCAV dallo stretto di Gibilterra mentre il CSG si avvicina all'Iran, farli rifornire in volo lungo il percorso e al ritorno, mentre la portaerei si avvicina ulteriolmente.

 

 

 

[Andrea75]

X-47B Completes First Pax River Flight

 

Naval aviation officials chose 11 a.m. on Sunday morning to make history as the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator made its first flight at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

 

The tailess, unmanned aircraft designed to land on aircraft carriers made a 35 minute flight taking off from Pax River and flying over the Chesapeake Bay reaching an altitude of 7,500 feet and an air speed of 180 knots. Navy officials considered Sunday’s first test flight a success.

...

Pax River has a simulated aircraft carrier environment to test the incredible feat of landing an unmanned aircraft on a carrier at sea. Navy leaders hope to make the first X-47B landing on a carrier in 2013

[Andrea75]

U.S. Navy initial flight (and heavy landing) of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dyojf88-NU&feature=player_embedded

[Andrea75]

X-47B UCAV flies with arrester hook for carrier trials

 

The Fleet Readiness Center South West (FRCSW) in California surpassed the call of its traditional line of work to rapidly manufacture parts for a new, unmanned demonstrator aircraft being tested here.

 

In late spring, a team from Patuxent River, Md. called on FRCSW at Naval Air Station North Island to redesign the hook point for the first unmanned aircraft designed to operate in and around an aircraft carrier — the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS).

 

To land on the flight deck of a carrier, aircraft need a tailhook to catch one of four arresting wires. When unsuccessful roll-in arrestment tests of the X-47B revealed the need for a modified hook point, the team needed to come up with a plan to make the modifications in order to perform arrested landings and catapult launches this fall.

[Scagnetti]

Una bella immagine :

 

 

 

 

Ah, dimenticavo: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-navy-to-issue-draft-rfp-for-new-unmanned-strike-aircraft-before-years-end-378562/

 

The US Navy (USN) hopes to issue a draft request for proposal (RFP) for its nascent unmanned carrier-launched surveillance and strike (UCLASS) aircraft programme before the end of 2012.

....

 

USN budget documents indicate that the service hopes to have the new aircraft in limited operational service by 2020. According to USN officials, that means that a small squadron of perhaps a half-dozen UCLASS aircraft would be ready to train with a carrier air wing by that date, but the unit would not necessarily deploy with the ship.

...

Northrop is expected to pitch a derivative of the X-47 for the UCLASS programme. Lockheed Martin is hoping to offer an aircraft called the Sea Ghost. General Atomics is expected to offer a derivative of its Predator-C Avenger. Boeing is likely to bid a new design that draws on lessons learned from its X-45C Phantom Ray.

Modificato 6 Novembre 2012 da Scagnetti

[Andrea75]

U.S. Navy Demonstrate Precision, Wireless Ground Handling of X-47B Unmanned Aircraft

 

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the U.S. Navy have taken a first critical step toward demonstrating that the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator can be maneuvered safely and wirelessly on the crowded deck of an aircraft carrier.

In early November, the team successfully completed its first shore-based trials of a new wireless, handheld device called a Control Display Unit (CDU). Developed by Northrop Grumman, the device will allow deck operators to maneuver the X-47B by remote control on the carrier deck.

 

The team demonstrated the CDU's ability to control the X-47B's engine thrust; to roll the aircraft forward, brake and stop; to use its nose wheel steering to execute tight, precision turns; and to maneuver the aircraft efficiently into a catapult or out of the landing area following a mock carrier landing.

 

Northrop Grumman is the Navy's prime contractor for the UCAS Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program.

 

"The CDU is fundamental to integrating the X-47B seamlessly into carrier deck operations," said Daryl Martis, Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D test director. "It will allow us to move the aircraft quickly and precisely into the catapult for launch, or out of the landing area following recovery. Both of these activities are essential to maintaining the rhythm of the flight deck."

In practice, a deck operator will work in tandem with the flight deck director – aka a "yellow shirt" – to move the X-47B via the CDU to a designated flight deck location. Standing in front of the aircraft, the director will use traditional hand signals to indicate how, when and where the aircraft should move, the same way he would communicate with a pilot in a manned aircraft. The deck operator will stand behind the director and use the CDU to duplicate the director's instructions as digital commands to the aircraft.

According to Martis, the CDU will help streamline and, in fact, enable many of the flight test operations required for UCAS-D shore-based carrier suitability testing.

"Instead of towing the aircraft out to the flight line, we can now start the X-47B outside its hangar, then use the CDU to taxi it out to the runway, or into a catapult for launch," he said. "Use of the CDU is the most time-efficient way to move the X-47B into the catapult or disengage it from the arresting gear after landing."

The UCAS-D program plans to conduct its first shore-based catapults of X-47B aircraft later this month. That testing will be followed by hoisting an X-47B aboard an aircraft carrier, and using it to validate the performance of the CDU in an actual carrier environment.

In 2013, the program plans to demonstrate the ability of an X-47B to safely operate from a Navy aircraft carrier, including launch, recovery, and air traffic control operations. The program also plans to mature technologies required for potential future Navy unmanned air system programs.

 

 

In practice, a deck operator will work in tandem with the flight deck director - aka a "yellow shirt" - to move the X-47B using the wireless control device. The director will use traditional hand signals to indicate how the aircraft should move. The deck operator will stand behind the director and use the control device to duplicate the directors instructions as digital commands to the aircraft.

[Andrea75]

X-47B unmanned test aircraft hoisted aboard ship for first sea tests

 

One of two Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aircraft was barged down from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and arrived on Nov. 26 at Norfolk naval base, Va., where it was promptly hoisted aboard the aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75). This marks the first time one of the stealthy aircraft has been on board a ship.

TRUMAN was fitted during a recent overhaul with gear and software to operate the X-47B, the first jet unmanned strike aircraft designed for carrier operation. Extensive carrier deck handling tests will be run before flying operations take place later this winter.

The carrier will undertake three weeks of tests with the X-47B, both in port at Norfolk and underway along the Atlantic coast. Engineers and sailors will use a hand-held control display unit to control the aircraft moving along the carrier’s deck.

TRUMAN is scheduled to deploy to the U.S. Central Command region early in 2013.

 

3 Video http://youtu.be/sP3BaiigImg http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wPLHC5rwOYo http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=t-Z_RVrMjH8

 

[Andrea75]

First X-47B UCAS Catapult Launch Makes Naval Aviation History Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/first-x-47b-ucas-catapult-launch-makes-naval-aviation-history-45767/#ixzz2DyOXKoUN

 

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator successfully completed its inaugural land-based catapult launch here Nov. 29, marking the start of a new era for naval aviation.

“Carrier-based unmanned aircraft will change the concept of operations for the carrier-controlled airspace,” said Rear Adm. Mat Winter, the program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. “The N-UCAS program’s goal is to demonstrate integration of an unmanned aircraft into a carrier environment and reduce technical risk associated with developing potential future unmanned, carrier-compatible systems.”

The Navy’s first-ever steam catapult launch of the pilotless X-47B ensures the vehicle can structurally handle the rigors of the unique and stringent aircraft-carrier environment.

“The X-47B shore-based catapult launch we witnessed here today will leave a mark in history,” said Vice Adm. David Dunaway, NAVAIR commander. “We are working toward the future integration of unmanned aircraft on the carrier deck, something we didn’t envision 60 years ago when the steam catapult was first built here.”

Since the birth of naval aviation, engineers have relied on experienced test pilots to help evaluate aircraft flying qualities and structural suitability. Today, the Navy UCAS integrated test team relied solely on data from a pre-programmed automated X-47B aircraft to achieve these data points.

“This test, in addition to the extensive modeling and simulation done prior to today, gives us great confidence in the X-47B’s ability to operate on the flight deck,” said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, the Navy UCAS program manager.

[Andrea75]

First pics: X-47B Unmanned Aircraft at sea aboard carrier TRUMAN

 

Like just about everybody connected with the Navy, the folks on the USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) took time this weekend to watch Navy once again get the better of Army in the annual football smackdown. But the TRUMAN crew also is out to sea, hard at work, and they’re testing a new aircraft, the X-47B prototype strike jet. It’s the first time the new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has gotten wet with salty sea spray.

Look closely at these pics, taken Sunday, Dec. 9, as the ship maneuvered off the mid-Atlantic coast. For years, computer-aided illustrations have portrayed a carrier of the future, showing bat-wing UAVs that look a whole lot like this puppy, tucked among the normal flight deck clutter.

But this time, that’s not photoshop. It’s the real thing, driving around F/A-18 Super Hornet strike fighters, C-2A Greyhound logistics aircraft, and H-60 helicopters. Sailors, engineers and members of the Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) program office (PMA-268) aboard the TRUMAN are learning how the aircraft maneuvers on and off elevators, over arresting gear wires, around a crowded hangar, and hooking up to catapults.

The aircraft was hoisted aboard TRUMAN at Norfolk on Nov. 26, and the carrier is undertaking about three weeks of tests with the unmanned system. A sister aircraft — the Navy has two X-47Bs, both delivered from Northrop Grumman — made the UCAS program’s first catapult launch Nov. 29, taking off from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

While the current round of tests on the TRUMAN is centered on testing handling and control characteristics, officials have not ruled out a flight test if all conditions are nominal.

 

 

 

[Andrea75]

Video of Unmanned Combat Air System X-47B Taxi at Sea shows the future of naval aviation

 

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air Systems (UCAS) demonstrator is currently conducting trials on the on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) at sea.

Involved in Carrier Qualification, the Truman supercarrier is the first flattop to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYIVRdwd_zI&feature=player_detailpage

Ship-board testing started on Dec. 9. On the flight deck the X-47B (that on Nov.29, successfully completed its first land-based catapult launch from Naval Air Station Patuxent River) is controlled using an arm-mounted control display unit (CDU).

The new gadget is a special remote control for moving the X-47B on flight decks which attaches to the wrist, waist and one hand. Through the device, deck operators ahve access to a display and can control the aircraft’s throttle, tailhook, steering, brakes and perform several other functions associated with maneuvring an aircraft on deck.

[Andrea75]

X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Completes First At-Sea Tests

 

fonte US Navy

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea --- The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completed its first at-sea test phase aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Dec. 18.

The first aircraft of its kind aboard a Naval vessel, the X-47B was put through myriad trials designed to assess the viability of an unmanned system's operation aboard a carrier.

Among the multitude of tests, the X-47B was towed using carrier-based tractors, taxied on the flight deck via its arm-mounted control display unit (CDU), and had its digital engine controls tested within environments pervaded by electromagnetic fields.

"The system has performed outstandingly," said Don Blottenberger, program manager for the N-UCAS Program Office (PMA-268). "We've learned a lot about the environment that we're in and how compatible the aircraft is with a carrier's flight deck, hangar bays and communication systems."

"We validated our capabilities on an aircraft carrier," said Mike Mackey, Northrop Grumman's program director. "We gained a lot of knowledge that we could never have gotten anywhere else except on a carrier. It was perfect for the team. We demonstrated the program's maturity and our team's ability to interact with Sailors and the ship, which was one of the most important things for us to do."

Mackey said data collected from the aircraft's performance throughout its two-week test period aboard Truman will contribute to future unmanned aviation programs.

Although the X-47B, as a demonstration aircraft, will never be put into production, Blottenberger said Sailors may one day see similar aircraft aboard ships.

"There are a lot of people aboard Truman that will take this experience with them," said Blottenberger. "I think that all of this interest will help different programs both manned and unmanned. Hopefully, its impact will benefit future technologies."

Sailors aboard Truman were offered working experience with the X-47B as crew members directed the aircraft on the flight deck and handled it in the hangar bays.

Lt. Cmdr. Larry Tarver, Truman's aircraft handling officer, said his experience with UCAS-D during its testing was very interesting.

"I believe our Sailors integrated with the system very easily," said Tarver. "Getting Sailors to help out and participate was very easy as everyone was curious and excited to work with it. Apart from those minor differences, the aircraft moved much like any other carrier-based aircraft while taxiing under its own power."

Tarver said he believes aircraft like the X-47B will easily fit into a carrier's environment in the future.

"Moving the UCAS-D around with a spotting dolly was very similar to how we move other aircraft," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Daniel Colon, a supervisor in air department's V-3 division aboard Truman. "Being the only carrier to have experience with this system so far, I am proud to be among the first Sailors to test this aircraft. I know my whole team feels the same way."

Blottenberger attributed much of UCAS-D's success to the Truman crew's open communication and support.

"Approximately 40 percent of our test team onboard had never been on a Navy ship before," said Blottenberger. "I think it was eye-opening for the team to see the complexities involved in running and organizing a ship effectively. The Truman has been outstanding. There are countless examples of support from a list of Sailors too long to count from almost every department on board. I could not imagine a better experience for the test team."

Capt. S. Robert Roth, Truman's commanding officer, said Sailors benefitted equally from N-UCAS's embark.

"There was obvious curiosity about the aircraft and tremendous enthusiasm from the entire crew to be part of the revolutionary testing," said Roth after an event honoring the partnership built between Team Truman and N-UCAS. "These tests were the perfect match of a crew that knows the environment and the operation of aircraft at sea and a team with impressive new technologies. Our crew has taken great pride in being part of Naval aviation history."

Mackey, a retired Marine with more than 20 years of experience, said he loved being back aboard a Naval vessel to work with Sailors.

"Every minute of the underway was an opportunity to see how far the Navy has grown," said Mackey. "It's awesome to see the caliber of today's warriors. It's been a great experience for me aboard Truman."

With X-47B's deck testing completed, Blottenberger said the aircraft will return to Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River for further testing and is scheduled to embark another carrier in mid-2013.

"I'm a believer that this is only the beginning," said Blottenberger. "We're taking UCAS-D into next year with what we learned aboard Truman. We are planning to get it back on a carrier to complete catapult launches, arrested landings and aerial refueling tests. There is a lot ahead for our program and a lot of hard work behind us. I look at Truman as the beginning of future unmanned integration with the fleet."

 

fonte Northrop Grumman Corp.

NAS PATUXENT RIVER, Md. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed a series of deck handling trials of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).

The exercises, conducted from Nov. 27 to Dec. 17, demonstrated the ability to maneuver the tailless, strike-fighter-sized aircraft quickly and precisely on the flight deck using a wireless handheld controller. They are the latest in a series of test activities leading up to the first carrier landings of the X-47B planned for 2013.

"The X-47B deck trials proved convincingly that the design and operation of the aircraft are fully compatible with the rhythm and operational requirements of the carrier flight deck," said Mike Mackey, UCAS-D program director for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "They provided a major boost to the team's confidence as we move steadily toward our first carrier landings next year."

Northrop Grumman is the Navy's prime contractor for the UCAS-Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The company designed and produced two X-47B aircraft for the program. One aircraft was on the ship; the other remains at Naval Air Station Patuxent River where it is undergoing additional shore-based carrier suitability testing.

The deck trials were conducted both while the USS Harry S. Truman was in port at Naval Station Norfolk, and while the ship was under way off the coast of Virginia.

Mackey said the testing included taxiing the X-47B on the flight deck, maneuvering the aircraft up to the ship's catapults using the Northrop Grumman-designed Control Display Unit; taxiing the aircraft over the ship's arresting cables and conducting fueling operations. The team also moved the aircraft up and down the ship's elevators between the flight deck and the hangar bay.

"We proved that the X-47B air system is mature and can perform flawlessly in the most hostile electromagnetic environment on earth, a Nimitz class Navy aircraft carrier," added Mackey.

In 2013, the UCAS-D program plans to begin conducting shore-based arrested landings of the X-47B at Patuxent River. Carrier trials, which will include both landings and catapult launches, are planned for later in the spring.

Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D industry team includes Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, GKN Aerospace, Eaton, General Electric, UTC Aerospace Systems, Dell, Honeywell, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace and Rockwell Collins.

 

X-47B stealth drone targets new frontiers

 

The X-47B has already been tested on land in conditions meant to mimic operations on a carrier deck, including a catapult launch, but operating on a real carrier crowded with people and equipment presents fresh challenges. For example, the X-47B must be tested for electromagnetic interference, in other words, making sure that the aircraft’s electronic systems don’t clash with the myriad radar and emitters that are on a ship.

“While we go through a rigorous test program, you really learn a lot when you’re at sea and you’re validating your system against the true environment of the carrier,” says Johnson.

If all goes well with these tests, the Navy will then be ready for its first at-sea flight. This will likely be a short affair, according to Johnson, and will start with a catapult launch and end with the aircraft landing not on the carrier, but on firm ground. Later that year, the X-47B will also perform an “arrested landing,” meaning it will land back on the aircraft carrier.

Another key flight test will take place in 2014, when the X-47 demonstrates that it can perform autonomous aerial refueling. Currently, the craft has a range of around 3,200km (2,000 miles) and can stay aloft for six hours. But for effective operations, the Navy would like it to stay aloft for longer.

[Zodiak]

Ciao a tutti...........devo fare una ricerca su questo aereo e mi servirebbe qualche informazione : perstazioni, dimensioni ,tipo di armamento ecc.

[Andrea75]

Ciao a tutti...........devo fare una ricerca su questo aereo e mi servirebbe qualche informazione : perstazioni, dimensioni ,tipo di armamento ecc.

 

 

... credo farai fatica. I dati relativi a questo dimostratore - credo - siano in gran parte classificati.

 

Comunque puoi iniziare leggendo le pagine di questo topic dedicato all'X-47B, o consultando il sito della Northrop Grumman.

 

io ho fatto una semplice ricerca su internet ed ho trovato le informazioni che chiedevi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_X-47B

[Zodiak]

ok grazie per le informazioni