X-47B

X-47B (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle – UCAV) – 2

Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman

First flight: 4 February 2011

Number built: 2

Program cost: $813 million

Developed from: X-47A Pegasus

Developed into: X-47C UCLASS

General characteristics

Crew: None aboard (semi-autonomous operation)

Length: 11.63 m

Wingspan: 18.92 m extended/9.41 m folded

Height: 3.10 m

Wing area: 88.59 m²

Empty weight: 6,350 kg

Max. takeoff weight: 20,215 kg

Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney F100-220U turbofan

Performance

Maximum speed: Subsonic

Cruise speed: Mach 0.9+ (high subsonic)

Range: 3,889+ km

Service ceiling: 12,190 m

Armament

2 weapon bays, providing for up to 2,000 kg of ordnance

Avionics

Provisions for EO/IR/SAR/ISAR/GMTI/MMTI/ESM

X-47C

Proposed larger version with a payload of 4,500 kg and a wingspan of 52.4 m.

Northrop Grumman intends to develop the prototype X-47B into a battlefield-ready aircraft, the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system, which will enter service by 2019.

The 2015 compromise defense bill imposes restrictions on funding for the Navy’s planned production carrier-launched unmanned aerial vehicle over concerns the platform would lack sufficient stealth, survivability and weapons payload, according to the bill’s language.

(http://www.dmitryshulgin.com/2014/12/06/drone-wings-clipped/)

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT

(http://www.dmitryshulgin.com/2015/01/10/unmanned-aircraft/)