X-47B first shot off carrier

Except that the X-47 (X stands for experimental, remember?) is NOT entering the fleet… after it completes the series of arrested landings aboard later this year, the USN intends to retire this experimental prototype.

They have decided to not even do the “automated mid-air refueling” tests they originally planned to do with the X-47B… they are going to use a manned biz-jet that is equipped with an “autonomous control system” that mimics the system aboard the X-47B.

Then the USN is going to solicit bids from industry for the actual carrier-based UCAV that will become operational aboard USN carriers.

X-47 for the Navy! Id like the X-47 to do a combat sortie on the fleet. Finally a combat ground attack platform that’s stealthy in design. I like this unmanned drone. Welcome to the fleet X-47! 😀

Hopefully the Navy will accelerate drones flying off carriers. That means that we wont need permission to base drones in other countries. Carriers can just stand out in international waters and fly our drones anywhere we want to. Of course the big thing is we wont have to pay some crooked dictator millions to use his airfields.