#x47b

The Northrop Grumman X-47B is a demonstration unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) designed for 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 is now part of the United States Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The X-47B is a jet-powered flying wing capable of semi-autonomous operation. The X-47B first flew in 2011, and as of 2015, it is undergoing 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. 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. Role: Unmanned combat air vehicle National origin: United States Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman First flight: 4 February 2011 Primary user: United States Navy Number built: 2 Program cost: US$813 million Developed from: X-47A Pegasus Developed into: X-47C UCLASS (planned)