X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS)

The x-47b (UCAS) is being developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Navy (USN). Air worthiness of the x 47b unmanned combat air system demonstrator was developed at an estimated cost of $813m. The aircraft performed a successful initial test flight at Patuxent River, Maryland, US, in July 2012. The X-47B is expected to enter active naval service by 2019. DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF THE UCAS-D The X-47B UCAS was developed by the US Navy as part of the unmanned combat air system carrier demonstration (UCAS-D) programme. The programme aims to develop and demonstrate which fighter sized tailless unmanned aircraft can be deployed from US Navy aircraft carriers. The X-47B is a variant of Pegasus X-47A, which was developed as a joint USAF and USN programme, called J-UCAS, in 2001. The programme was funded by the DARPA with Northrop Grumman as the main contractor. In February 2006, however, the UCAS development programme was cancelled for separate UAV development programmes by both the defence forces. Develop