Northrup Grumman has shown off the first of the X-47Bs being produced for US Navy UCAS-D program. There are currently two prototypes being built for
testing. First flight is scheduled for late 2009. A formal unveiling is scheduled for shortly before first flight. The program appears to have
survived a budget crisis in June, and has been expanded to include an autonomous aerial refueling demonstration.
Source with photo
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looks like a slimmer u-2 to me
i still will never forget the pure power and might of a b-1 bomber when it came in for the airshow.
that thing was nasty and was beyond words to describe almost
a memory i won't forget ever!!!!
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Did you even read the article? The X-47B is the UCAS-D testbed that is going to be flown for the US Navy. They're going to be testing it for
carrier operations starting in 2010. It's going to fly for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2009.
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Its size would be perfect for a Navy carrier launched bomber. I think its cool. Great post!!! 
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reply to post by shortywarn
Looks nothing remotely like the U-2.
[edit on 18/12/2008 by C0bzz]
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That's one sleek looking piece of machinery 
Carrier based UCAS ? will be watching for progress on this one closely.
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reply to post by C0bzz
He probably meant the B-2 because yeah your right the 47 looks nothing like a U-2.
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sorry,, sorry, sorry,,,,,one letter makes a big difference meant b-2,,,,,and granted i'm not quite the plane buff as many here are,,,,
but i always like looking at these threads living right by mcguire afb
i wasn't surprised to see zaphod posted this,,, you keep us in the loop
sucks all we have is cargo and transport,,,,, but love when some fighters do touch and go's one in a while!!!!
again sorry
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This is the RCS testbed being transported, same dimensions as the flightworthy version.
This picture does more justice to the size of the X-47B.
[edit on 18-12-2008 by WestPoint23]
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Looks like a pretty high cost platform capable of delivering not much in the way of munitions.
I base this on the fact that any weapons must be in internal bays to reduce the radar sig. Thereby one can only assume that it's only worth while use
would be as a first strike nuke hauler or low level tactical recce bird.
???
Maybe it's just a plywood model too.
Actually, I might add that the designation seems odd, there was a wonderful aircraft called the B-47 Stratojet. It seems unlikely that the '-47'
designation should be reassigned as it has no precedent I am aware of.
[edit on 19-1-2009 by JimmyBlonde]
[edit on 19-1-2009 by JimmyBlonde]
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I'm sure we'll be seeing more and more unmanned designs.
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With more and more sophistication and capability I should add. Any news on other ones?
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