The U.S. Navy nearly developed a groundbreaking stealthy, armed, carrier-launched attack drone intended to extend maritime power projection. This drone was designed for high-risk forward offensive missions against enemy air defenses, surface ships, and adversarial fighter aircraft. It also had the potential to serve as a carrier-launched refueler.
Development and Achievements
Based on the Northrop Grumman X-47B demonstrator aircraft, the drone achieved a significant milestone by autonomously landing on an aircraft carrier as part of the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program. Despite this achievement, extensive debate and programmatic deliberation led to the cancellation of the UCLASS program. Instead, the Navy decided to develop a less stealthy, unarmed refueler drone, the MQ-25 Stingray.
On March 18, 2021, some prominent members of Congress called on the Navy to resume developing a UCLASS-like capability. The U.S. Navy’s two X-47Bs, known by their call signs Salty Dog 501 and Salty Dog 502, retired in April 2015, represent the most significant progress in Unmanned Combat Aerial Systems to date. With its sleek, stealthy, tailless profile, the X-47B has become a symbol of the future of military drone technology.
Origins and Development
Northrop Grumman initially funded a small proof-of-concept demonstrator called the X-47A Pegasus, which had its first and only flight in April 2003. The company then designed a much larger aircraft for the naval version requirement: the X-47B. Development of the X-47B began six years before Northrop Grumman received a contract to build two units. By then, military drones had gained prominence due to the success of the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reapers in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Design and Capabilities
- Cost: Development costs reached nearly $1.5 billion by 2015.
- Strategic Requirements: The drone was designed for long-range strike missions, reflecting the Navy’s strategic focus on countering Chinese anti-shipping technologies.
- Design Similarity: The X-47B has a design similar to the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, featuring a blended-wing body with no vertical stabilizer.
- Engine: It uses a single Pratt & Whitney F100-220U turbofan engine, the same engine used in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, providing up to 17,000 pounds of thrust.
Specifications
- Wingspan: 62 feet
- Length: 38 feet
- Weight: Empty weight of approximately 14,000 lbs and a maximum takeoff weight of 44,000 lbs
- Speed: Cruising speed of 685 mph
- Range: Operational range of over 2,100 nautical miles
- Altitude: Operational altitude of up to 40,000 feet
Flight Tests and Achievements
The X-47B’s flight tests began in 2011 and lasted over four years, demonstrating its capability to perform a full range of shipboard and non-combat aerial operations. These included deck handling, launch and recovery, integration with manned aircraft operations, and in-air refueling from a manned tanker.
A historic milestone was achieved when an X-47B autonomously landed on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, a challenging task even for human pilots. Testing continued aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, focusing on the UAV’s digitized carrier-controlled environment, including communication and interaction between the drone and carrier personnel during operations. On August 17, 2014, the X-47B made history by performing its first successful autonomous takeoff.
In summary, the X-47B represents a significant advancement in military drone technology, demonstrating the potential for autonomous, carrier-launched operations. Although the program was canceled, its achievements have set the stage for future developments in unmanned aerial systems.
