The quick take home is that the
human fighter pilot is about to be obsolete and the next generation of
warplanes will be flying a very high G’s that can not be matched by any human
pilot. Progress will be rapid because we
no longer need to cater to any human needs.
Expect that by the end of the
decade the air fleet will be free of onboard personnel. We are witnessing the end of the age of the
pilot. It will take time until the
public is prepared to trust themselves so completely to technology but it is
certainly coming faster than we think.
My expectation is driverless EVs been
the norm as soon as 2020. It is all
possible right now and is only waiting for an incremental improvement or two
that is well understood.
Expect to go sit in your vehicle
and to instruct the car as to destination and no more. It really is that close right now.
X-47B first flight: the era of the autonomous unmanned combat plane
approaches
By Jack Martin
15:17 February 8, 2011
No matter how I look at this, it still seems like science fiction – a
combat aircraft without a pilot that is capable of flying itself, making its
own decisions, recognizing and neutralizing threats, and taking off and landing
on an aircraft carrier. Last Friday (Feb 4), the Northrop
Grumman-built U.S. Navy
X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) aircraft successfully
completed its historic first flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California
++Conducted by a U.S.
"First flight represents the compilation of numerous tests to
validate the airworthiness of the aircraft, and the robustness and reliability
of the software that allows it to operate as an autonomous system and
eventually have the ability to take-off and land aboard an aircraft
carrier," said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, the Navy's UCAS-D program manager.
"Designing a tailless, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft from a
clean sheet is no small feat," said Janis Pamiljans, vice president and
UCAS-D program manager for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.
"Commitment, collaboration and uncompromising technical excellence among
the Navy, Northrop Grumman and the UCAS-D team industry partners made today's
flight a reality. We are indeed honored to have given wings to the Navy's
vision for exploring unmanned carrier aviation."
Taking off under hazy skies, the X-47B climbed to an altitude of 5,000
feet, flew several racetrack-type patterns, and landed safely at 2:38 p.m. PST.
The flight provided test data to verify and validate system software for
guidance and navigation, and the aerodynamic control of the tailless design.
As with all test programs, first flight represents the culmination,
verification and certification of pre-flight system data collected and analyzed
by both the Navy and Northrop Grumman. Airframe proof load tests, propulsion
system accelerated mission tests, software maturity and reliability
simulations, full system taxi tests, and numerous other system test activities
were all completed and certified prior to first flight.
The aircraft will remain at Edwards AFB for flight envelope expansion
before transitioning to Naval Air Station
Patuxent River , Maryland
The Navy awarded the UCAS-D prime contract to Northrop Grumman in
August 2007. The six-year contract calls for the development of two X-47B
fighter-sized aircraft. The program will demonstrate the first-ever carrier
launches and recoveries by an autonomous, unmanned aircraft with a
low-observable-relevant platform. Autonomous aerial refueling will also be
performed after carrier integration and at-sea trials.
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