![NORTHROP GRUMMAN X-47B Role: Unmanned combat air vehicle technology demonstrator Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman Status: Under development The Northrop Grumman X-47B is a demonstration unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) designed for aircraft carrier-based operations. Developed by the American defense technology company Northrop Grumman, the X-47 project began as part of DARPA's J-UCAS program, and subsequently became part of the United States Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The X-47B is a tailless jet-powered blended-wing-body aircraft capable of semi-autonomous operation and aerial refuelling. The X-47B first flew in 2011, and as of 2015, its two active demonstrators have undergone extensive flight and operational integration testing, having successfully performed a series of land- and carrier-based demonstrations. In August 2014, the US Navy announced that it had integrated the X-47B into carrier operations alongside manned aircraft,[6] and by May 2015 the aircraft's primary test program was declared complete. Northrop Grumman intends to develop the prototype X-47B into a battlefield-ready aircraft, the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system, which will enter service in the 2020s. The X-47B demonstrators themselves were intended to become museum exhibits after the completion of their flight testing, but the Navy later decided to maintain them in flying condition pending further development.](https://twt-thumbs.washtimes.com/media/image/2015/11/12/X47B_s878x538.jpg?8ec5ab5c6144282f6bbf4abce3d223ae769a107c)
NORTHROP GRUMMAN X-47B Role: Unmanned combat air vehicle technology demonstrator Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman Status: Under development The Northrop Grumman X-47B is a demonstration unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) designed for aircraft carrier-based operations. Developed by the American defense technology company Northrop Grumman, the X-47 project began as part of DARPA's J-UCAS program, and subsequently became part of the United States Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The X-47B is a tailless jet-powered blended-wing-body aircraft capable of semi-autonomous operation and aerial refuelling. The X-47B first flew in 2011, and as of 2015, its two active demonstrators have undergone extensive flight and operational integration testing, having successfully performed a series of land- and carrier-based demonstrations. In August 2014, the US Navy announced that it had integrated the X-47B into carrier operations alongside manned aircraft,[6] and by May 2015 the aircraft's primary test program was declared complete. Northrop Grumman intends to develop the prototype X-47B into a battlefield-ready aircraft, the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system, which will enter service in the 2020s. The X-47B demonstrators themselves were intended to become museum exhibits after the completion of their flight testing, but the Navy later decided to maintain them in flying condition pending further development.
Featured Photo Galleries
Military parade celebrates Army’s 250th
Cheers and chants rang out Saturday from a crowd of thousands as soldiers manned modern and historic tanks and aircraft for the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration in the District.
Ovi scores goal 890, Caps lose to Sabres 8-5
Alexander Ovechkin scored goal number 890, but the Washington Capitals fell short, losing to the visiting Buffalo Sabres Sunday afternoon 8-5 at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., March 30, 2025 (Photos for the Washington Times.)
Hegseth joins veterans, generals to mark 80th anniversary of battle of Iwo Jima
A handful of retired Marines – all in the late 90s or over 100 — joined Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japan’s Prime Minister Takeru Ishida on Saturday to mark the anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II in the Pacific that ended 80 years ago this week.
