USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea,
Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/
-- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the U.S. Navy
offered a glimpse of the future of carrier aviation on Aug. 17 by conducting a series of cooperative
flights from the aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71),
using an X-47B Unmanned Air System (UCAS) and an F/A-18 Hornet.
Photos accompanying this release are available at
http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=27129. A
video accompanying this release is available at
http://youtu.be/RqiOzO8yV4A.
The flights – the first time manned and unmanned carrier
aircraft have operated together in the same carrier controlled
landing pattern at the same at the same time – took place in the
Eastern Atlantic. They offered Northrop Grumman and the Navy an
opportunity to collect data that will help reduce risks associated
with integrating unmanned aircraft with conventional manned carrier
operations.
"The X-47B has again pushed the boundaries of the UCAS program
by demonstrating that it can operate seamlessly with conventional
carrier assets in one of the most demanding environments in the
world," said Capt. Beau Duarte, the
Navy's UCAS program manager.
During the flights, the X-47B flew in the landing pattern with
the F/18-Hornet at approach speeds of 120 miles per hour, at a
pattern altitude of 1,200 feet. Mission operators aboard the USS
Theodore Roosevelt had full control of the X-47B during flight
maneuvers that involved several planned precision approaches to the
carrier.
"Today's operation proved once again that the X-47B is a mature,
reliable system that can integrate safely and effectively with
manned carrier operations, both on the deck and in the air," said
Carl Johnson, vice president and
Navy UCAS program manager, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.
At the completion of the manned/unmanned flight trials, the
X-47B landed safely aboard CVN 71, catching and quickly releasing
the arresting cable before folding its wings and taxiing clear of
the landing area.
Northrop Grumman, the Navy's UCAS prime contractor, designed and
produced the program's two X-47B air vehicles. Integrated test
teams comprising of Northrop Grumman and Navy personnel have
performed numerous flight and carrier suitability tests leading up
to these trials.
Northrop Grumman's UCAS industry team includes Pratt &
Whitney, GKN Aerospace, Eaton, General Electric, UTC Aerospace
Systems, Dell, Honeywell, Moog, Wind River, Parker Aerospace,
Sargent Aerospace & Defense, Rockwell Collins and Lockheed
Martin.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing
innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems,
cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and
commercial customers worldwide. Please visit
www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
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SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation