The next step toward unmanned, carrier-borne fighter aircraft was taken yesterday when sailors aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Harry S. Truman assisted with the loading of Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator. The air vehicle arrived in Norfolk Naval Shipyard by barge Monday from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
A team from the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System program office embarked Truman to conduct tests and demonstrations.
The tailless X-47B, which boasts a wingspan of more than 62 feet (wider than that of an F/A-18 Super Hornet), will demonstrate seamless integration into carrier flight deck operations through various tests. During each demonstration, the X-47B will be controlled remotely via a hand-held control display unit.
Truman, a Nimitz-class carrier commissioned in 1998, will be the first such ship to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft. Capt. Jaime Engdahl, N-UCAS program manager, said the X-47B’s delivery aboard Truman was a keynote in the program’s history.
“This is a very important moment for the X-47B,” said Engdahl. “The moment the aircraft set down on Truman’s deck was the moment it officially met the fleet.”
Cmdr. Kevin Watkins, N-UCAS’s flight test director, agreed with Engdahl’s sentiment.
“Bringing the X-47B aboard Truman is a big milestone for the program,” said Watkins. “We’ve been testing the aircraft for the last several years and to finally put it on a ship is so exciting. If these tests are successful, they will prove that the future for unmanned aircraft is wide open.”
Lt. Cmdr. Larry Tarver, Truman’s aircraft handling officer, who helped coordinate the X-47B’s on-load, said his sailors are eager to participate in the aircraft’s testing.
“It means a lot to our crew to be part of naval history,” said Tarver. “We have sailors who received additional training to safely move the X-47B and they are excited to play a part in its testing.”
While technical challenges are to be expected when introducing the new system to a carrier’s flight deck, Engdahl said he expects the tests to be successful citing strong teamwork between his team and Truman’s crew.
“The support from Truman has been phenomenal and it’s going to continue to take close cooperation between the carrier’s sailors and the UCAS-D team to make these demonstrations successful,” said Engdahl. “To operate large, unmanned aircraft off of a carrier, from anywhere in the world, will be a key capability for the Navy after these tests are successful.”
The X-47B test will be conducted over a three-week period which will include in-port and underway demonstrations aboard Truman.
From U.S. Navy reports; photo by Northrop Grumman
