US Navy launches X-47B drone from aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

[Donger]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/us-navy-launches-x-47b-drone-from-aircraft-carrier-uss-george-hw-bush05152013

A drone the size of a fighter jet took off from the deck of an American aircraft carrier for the first time Tuesday in a test flight that could eventually open the way for the U.S. to launch unmanned aircraft from just about any place in the world.

The X-47B is the first drone designed to take off and land on a carrier, meaning the U.S. military would not need permission from other countries to use their bases.

"As our access to overseas ports, forward operating locations and airspace is diminished around the world, the value of the aircraft carrier and the air wing becomes more and more important," Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander of Naval Air Forces Atlantic, said after the flight off the Virginia coast. "So today is history."

The move to expand the capabilities of the nation's drones comes amid growing criticism of America's use of Predators and Reapers to gather intelligence and carry out lethal missile attacks against terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.

Critics in the U.S. and abroad have charged that drone strikes cause widespread civilian deaths and are conducted with inadequate oversight.

Still, defense analysts say drones are the future of warfare.

[Donger]

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest10_1368624795548_415066_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

[Donger]

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest7_1368624795315_415062_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

[Donger]

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest3_1368624795544_415064_ver1.0_107_80.JPG

[Donger]

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest4_1368624795546_415065_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

[Donger]

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest11_1368624795517_415063_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

[Donger]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3Q4deCcKuVA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[durtyrute]

The government needs your tax dollars.

[Trivers]

The government needs your tax dollars.

Excellent use of those dollars.

Now if we can get drones with lasers (last month's new military advance), no one will consider going head to head with the USA. Suicide.

Never forget what happened to the western Roman Empire.

[jiveturkey]

I wonder how the folding wings affect it's stealth profile. That's got to be a tricky piece of engineering.

[Gonzo]

A lot of young or aspiring fighter-pilots just shat themselves.

I'm telling you all, it's just a matter of time before Skynet becomes self-aware.

[Titty Meat]

Hopefully it crashes

[Donger]

I wonder how the folding wings affect it's stealth profile. That's got to be a tricky piece of engineering.

They don't.

[Radar Chief]

I wonder how the folding wings affect it's stealth profile. That's got to be a tricky piece of engineering.

Doubt that matters much if at all.
The main thing about stealth, besides the RF absorbent paint they use, is to reduce the size of flat surfaces so it reflects as little RF back to the source as possible.

[Trivers]

Do they break apart in-flight? :)

[Donger]

A lot of young or aspiring fighter-pilots just shat themselves.

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

[Donger]

Hopefully it crashes

Why?

[Radar Chief]

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

Mostly just a long distance surveillance drone isn’t it?

[jiveturkey]

They don't.

What do you mean "they don't"?

This shot looks like it's folded up.

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest10_1368624795548_415066_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

[Joe Seahawk]

What do you mean "they don't"?

This shot looks like it's folded up.

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest10_1368624795548_415066_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

UMMM..

[Donger]

What do you mean "they don't"?

This shot looks like it's folded up.

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest10_1368624795548_415066_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

Sorry, I meant that the wings folding don't add much at all to the RCS.

[Radar Chief]

What do you mean "they don't"?

This shot looks like it's folded up.

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest10_1368624795548_415066_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

“They don’t” affect it’s stealth, I believe is what he’s saying.

[Chief Faithful]

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

Take the pilot out of a fighter and you can design fighters that do not have to carry life support systems or design with human limitations in mind such as G force limitations. Fighter designs will be able to leap forward.

[Trivers]

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

What happens if you put drone controls in a FY-22?

Will be happening sooner than later. 6th generation (?) fighter will not contain a pilot.

For you SiFi geeks, what was that Stargate TV episode where Jack is flying a fighter drone wearing a 360 degree viewing helmet?

[jiveturkey]

Sorry, I meant that the wings folding don't add much at all to the RCS.

Got it.

[Donger]

Mostly just a long distance surveillance drone isn’t it?

The 47B is a demonstrator for UCLASS (Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike System). It's unlikely that the 47B will ever carry weapons, but UCLASS birds will.

[jiveturkey]

What happens if you put drone controls in a FY-22?

Will be happening sooner than later.

For you SiFi geeks, what was that Stargate TV episode where Jack is flying a fighter drone wearing a 360 degree viewing helmet?

Drone fighters are going to change the battlefield a lot more than recon drones IMO. They'll be able to push the physical limits of an air-frame a lot further than they are now.

Image trying to fight something that can easily pull 20g and maintain it?

[Donger]

Take the pilot out of a fighter and you can design fighters that do not have to carry life support systems or design with human limitations in mind such as G force limitations. Fighter designs will be able to leap forward.

Yep, G loading has been a major limitation of our fighters (because of the human) for some time.

[Radar Chief]

Take the pilot out of a fighter and you can design fighters that do not have to carry life support systems or design with human limitations in mind such as G force limitations. Fighter designs will be able to leap forward.

Definitely.
Argued with a couple of fighter pilots when they found out I worked on HAWK. They told me about all the maneuvers they’d use to evade the missile and I simply said, “Can you pull a 110 Degree turn at Mach 3? Cause the HAWK can.”

[mikey23545]

I can just imagine our fighter pilots fighting from inside what looks like a flight simulator, flying drones in combat and simply dominating the skies...

[jiveturkey]

I wonder what the theoretical g limit is of a drone fighter built out of our most advanced air-frame materials???

[Radar Chief]

Yep, G loading has been a major limitation of our fighters (because of the human) for some time.

Not just that but think about the marathon flights they can pull by rotating pilots.

[mikey23545]

Hopefully it crashes


I've got an idea.

Why don't you quit playing around on the internet, and get back to work sucking Ron Paul's withered old cock?

[HemiEd]

Pretty cool video Donger, thanks for posting it. It will take a while for the flight deck crew to get used to not having a pilot to look at while directing the plane.

[Titty Meat]

I've got an idea.

Why don't you quit playing around on the internet, and get back to work sucking Ron Paul's withered old cock?

Shutup you racist pile of shit

[Donger]

Pretty cool video Donger, thanks for posting it. It will take a while for the flight deck crew to get used to not having a pilot to look at while directing the plane.

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest8_1368624811319_415070_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

[Amnorix]

I can just imagine our fighter pilots fighting from inside what looks like a flight simulator, flying drones in combat and simply dominating the skies...

Sure, for 10 or 20 years, then the Chinese have it, then 10+ years after that everyone has it.

Obviously we need to maintain our military superiority, but this isn't some magic bullet that will make us an invincible military superpower. WE ALREADY ARE, at least insofar as conventional warfare is concerned.

But we're already aware of the limitations of military superiority... It doesn't stop terrorists. It doesn't let us reshape the world in our image. etc. ad infinitum.

[Chief Faithful]

Definitely.
Argued with a couple of fighter pilots when they found out I worked on HAWK. They told me about all the maneuvers they’d use to evade the missile and I simply said, “Can you pull a 110 Degree turn at Mach 3? Cause the HAWK can.”

Missile evation can be programmed and if it doesn't work so what? Today we have to be so careful because the pilot is the most unreplaceable resource, but with drones that pilot is on the other side of the earth in a bunker. I imagine fighters will be able to out perform older systems and cost less to manufacture and maintain.

Imagine, a bomber that can out perform an F18.

[HemiEd]

http://media.10news.com/photo/2013/05/15/DroneTest8_1368624811319_415070_ver1.0_640_480.JPG

I wonder if that guy is called the LSO now, or something similar? In the video, the flight deck sailer directing the movement of the plane positioning for the catapult, just like we always did, was looking where the fuselage canopy would be, with a pilot behind it.

[Donger]

I wonder what the theoretical g limit is of a drone fighter built out of our most advanced air-frame materials???

More than 9. And, more than 3.

[Chief Faithful]

I can just imagine our fighter pilots fighting from inside what looks like a flight simulator, flying drones in combat and simply dominating the skies...

And that asset can be fully integrated with other assets on the ground, in the water and in the skies all controlable inside that same simulator.

[LiveSteam]

I want one. I can out fly anyone with my UJ4705. It takes a steady hand to fly the UJ4705. Box even says for ages 14+

[notorious]

I hope one of these doesn't land in hostile territory. We would have just given our stealth techonology away.......

[Bowser]

A lot of young or aspiring fighter-pilots just shat themselves.

I'm telling you all, it's just a matter of time before Skynet becomes self-aware.

Air Force fighter pilots had a four year wait for their own birds 20 years ago. I can only imaine what it is now, and that's not even considering this up and coming technology.

[Rain Man]

I wonder what the theoretical g limit is of a drone fighter built out of our most advanced air-frame materials???

I think missiles will pull 20+ g's in flight if I remember right.

[ChiefRocka]

I worked on this baby for a year. Took wayyyyy to long to get to this point.

[Donger]

I hope one of these doesn't land in hostile territory. We would have just given our stealth techonology away.......

That's already happened with the Sentinel that "landed" in Iran.

[Sorter]

I worked on this baby for a year. Took wayyyyy to long to get to this point.

That's fucking crazy

[Donger]

I worked on this baby for a year. Took wayyyyy to long to get to this point.

You work at Pax?

[mikey23545]

Sure, for 10 or 20 years, then the Chinese have it, then 10+ years after that everyone has it.

Obviously we need to maintain our military superiority, but this isn't some magic bullet that will make us an invincible military superpower. WE ALREADY ARE, at least insofar as conventional warfare is concerned.

But we're already aware of the limitations of military superiority... It doesn't stop terrorists. It doesn't let us reshape the world in our image. etc. ad infinitum.

So who claimed any of that?

[Barret]

Question, Have they tested landing on an Aircraft Carrier as of yet? Launching I think would be easy, it is the landing part that is a lot more difficult, even for Human pilots.

[Donger]

Question, Have they tested landing on an Aircraft Carrier as of yet? Launching I think would be easy, it is the landing part that is a lot more difficult, even for Human pilots.

No. They've practiced non-carrier trap landings at Patuxent though.

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[HemiEd]

Hard to duplicate the rolling and pitching of a carrier deck, but with the current technology I doubt it is too big of an issue.

[listopencil]

Got it.

The folded position is used for storage and transport.

[crossbow]

Excellent use of those dollars.

Now if we can get drones with lasers (last month's new military advance), no one will consider going head to head with the USA. Suicide.

Never forget what happened to the western Roman Empire.

Or sharks with lasers on their heads would be better.

[ChiefaRoo]

Sure, for 10 or 20 years, then the Chinese have it, then 10+ years after that everyone has it.

Obviously we need to maintain our military superiority, but this isn't some magic bullet that will make us an invincible military superpower. WE ALREADY ARE, at least insofar as conventional warfare is concerned.

But we're already aware of the limitations of military superiority... It doesn't stop terrorists. It doesn't let us reshape the world in our image. etc. ad infinitum.

I don't get all this Chinese Military Technology syndrome. Listen, there are a lot of Chinese people but their culture and thought process is all monkey see monkey do. They haven't invented a radical new technology since gun powder.

All those photos of parked gee whiz equipment their Govt. spits out doesn't prove anything.

You guys forget about the Russians who have proven themselves to be much more ingenious from a technological innovation standpoint. They are as much or more of a concern than the Chinese.

[Dave Lane]

I can just imagine our fighter pilots fighting from inside what looks like a flight simulator, flying drones in combat and simply dominating the skies...

Why bother? Have the computer run everything with the "pilots" standing by until its time to release the warbird.

[Kylo Ren]

I wonder if that guy is called the LSO now, or something similar? In the video, the flight deck sailer directing the movement of the plane positioning for the catapult, just like we always did, was looking where the fuselage canopy would be, with a pilot behind it. An LSO is a landing signal officer. Those guys, obviously, do more than land the aircraft. I think they are considered "pilots". "...the flight deck sailor directing the movement of the plane..." is simply called a Director. I was one back in '88 - '89.

[Donger]

First touch and go:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sIWVs8xtiv8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Spicy McHaggis]

d3D7Y_ycSms

[patteeu]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/us-navy-launches-x-47b-drone-from-aircraft-carrier-uss-george-hw-bush05152013

A drone the size of a fighter jet took off from the deck of an American aircraft carrier for the first time Tuesday in a test flight that could eventually open the way for the U.S. to launch unmanned aircraft from just about any place in the world.

The X-47B is the first drone designed to take off and land on a carrier, meaning the U.S. military would not need permission from other countries to use their bases.

"As our access to overseas ports, forward operating locations and airspace is diminished around the world, the value of the aircraft carrier and the air wing becomes more and more important," Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander of Naval Air Forces Atlantic, said after the flight off the Virginia coast. "So today is history."

The move to expand the capabilities of the nation's drones comes amid growing criticism of America's use of Predators and Reapers to gather intelligence and carry out lethal missile attacks against terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.

Critics in the U.S. and abroad have charged that drone strikes cause widespread civilian deaths and are conducted with inadequate oversight.

Still, defense analysts say drones are the future of warfare.

I've got a couple of problems with this.

First, our access to overseas ports, forward operating locations and airspace around the world shouldn't be diminishing. Thanks, Obama! :shake:

Second, so what if critics say drone strikes cause widespread civilian deaths? The truth is that they cause less collateral damage and fewer friendly casualties than more conventional attacks. What critics really object to is that it makes it safer for the US to launch attacks in the first place.

[patteeu]

I wonder how the folding wings affect it's stealth profile. That's got to be a tricky piece of engineering.

When the wings are swept forward, it probably degrades it's stealth profile pretty seriously, but most likely, they're only swept forward for takeoff and landing.

Edit: I think I misunderstood based on the picture. If the wings don't sweep forward at all, I doubt that the fact that the wings fold are much of a concern when the plane is in flight.

[boogblaster]

kool aircraft .....

[Donger]

When the wings are swept forward, it probably degrades it's stealth profile pretty seriously, but most likely, they're only swept forward for takeoff and landing.

Edit: I think I misunderstood based on the picture. If the wings don't sweep forward at all, I doubt that the fact that the wings fold are much of a concern when the plane is in flight.

No, the wings of the 47B are not forward-swept.

[Molitoth]

Still, defense analysts say drones are the future of warfare.

Wonderful that we put our minds together on ways to kill each other off, rather than put our minds together on trying to survive as a race.

[Discuss Thrower]

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

It's just the beginning though. Once they make drones totally self-sufficient, these things can out maneuver any piloted craft because it won't have to worry about blacking out / crushing the meatbag riding in the fuselage.

[Mr. Laz]

X-47B = drone
George H.W. Bush = drone


coincidence?

[Donger]

Wonderful that we put our minds together on ways to kill each other off, rather than put our minds together on trying to survive as a race.

That's beautiful.

[Donger]

X-47B = drone
George H.W. Bush = drone


coincidence?

You have a beef with GHWB?

[Dayze]

I grabbed the satellite info using a huge GPS unit for download so pilots could grab it and upload to their bricks for the first successful launch of the JSOW.

but it's nothing near as cool as this.

[BigRedChief]

A lot of young or aspiring fighter-pilots just shat themselves.

I'm telling you all, it's just a matter of time before Skynet becomes self-aware.Hate to tell ya pal but I've been working with "self-aware" tech since 2010. Not just a set of algorithms, possibilities, rules etc. Real live decision making on what "it" thinks is the best decision based on its past history of its own decisions. It's some fucking amazing tech. There are skynet jokes almost daily.

[LiveSteam]

:LOL:

[ChiefaRoo]

Wonderful that we put our minds together on ways to kill each other off, rather than put our minds together on trying to survive as a race.

Why don't we all work and then share the fruits equally right? Doesn't work.

[Donger]

First carrier landing. Looks like a three wire, too.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cPaH8CCtRVU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[CrazyPhuD]

Skynet approves!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yicluje2el0/TNQfWZ8mRzI/AAAAAAAABtQ/NshbfH6lHag/s1600/terminator_10.jpg

[ChiefGator]

I'm telling you all, it's just a matter of time before Skynet becomes self-aware.

First thing I thought of as well.

(Like the above post as well)

And damn, that thing is a monster!

[Easy 6]

Some of those drones are sooo BADASS looking, i wonder where they got the inspiration for their design...

[Easy 6]

It's just the beginning though. Once they make drones totally self-sufficient, these things can out maneuver any piloted craft because it won't have to worry about blacking out / crushing the meatbag riding in the fuselage.

You make an excellent point there, thought provoking to say the least.

But having just finished "Yeager" - one of the 10 most absorbing, exciting and interesting books i've ever read - i'm not so sure that even this extreme tech is a match for the human brain and ingenuity.

Seriously for anyone here who's interested in this sort of thing, that book is awesome... that was a redblooded, highly intuitive all-american MAN.

[Donger]

You make an excellent point there, thought provoking to say the least.

But having just finished "Yeager" - one of the 10 most absorbing, exciting and interesting books i've ever read - i'm not so sure that even this extreme tech is a match for the human brain and ingenuity.

Seriously for anyone here who's interested in this sort of thing, that book is awesome... that was a redblooded, highly intuitive all-american MAN.

Chuck's still alive.

[CoMoChief]

I wonder if it takes unleaded?

[Easy 6]

Chuck's still alive.

Wow, i was just kinda guessing he was gone... he must be 90 years old by now.

[Donger]

Wow, i was just kinda guessing he was gone... he must be 90 years old by now.

Yes, he is. And, he went supersonic last year on the 65th anniversary of his 1947 flight in an F-15 at Nellis.

[Easy 6]

That's already happened with the Sentinel that "landed" in Iran.

Just goes to show that in spite of most media reports of them being a beaten giant... the russians are nipping at our heals every step of the way.

[Easy 6]

Yes, he is. And, he went supersonic last year on the 65th anniversary of his 1947 flight in an F-15 at Nellis.

You're ****ing kidding me, right?

Supersonic at that age? what a MAN he is, my God i developed a serious mancrush after reading that book... his eagle-like eyesight and instincts must not have failed him yet.

This guy... i just couldnt be more impressed, i inhaled his book like a fat birthday boy on his cake... theres no replacing the human element.

[ChiefRocka]

You work at Pax?

Actual flights out at Edwards, lab testing in San Diego.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Awesome.