The US Navy for the first time on Tuesday launched an unmanned aircraft the size of a fighter jet from the USS George H.W Bush in the Atlantic Ocean.
The X-47B is considered particularly valuable because it’s the first that is designed specifically to take off and land on an aircraft carrier, allowing it to be used around the world without needing the permission of other countries to serve as a home base.
“This is a unique look into a navy test program of a high technology “X” plane (test plane), an historic moment as we introduce the X-47B for the first time into the harsh environment of a carrier at sea,” explained CAPT Jamie Engdahl, UCAS Program Manager.
The X-47B took off successfully Tuesday morning and made two low approaches to the ship before heading back toward land.
Top Photo:U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman by Alan Radecki (Released)
Lower Photo: US Navy by Mass Communication US Navy, Specialist 2nd Class Tomothy Walter
Source: Miami Herald