somber crater
General Information
The Northrop Grumman X-47B is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed as a technology demonstrator for aircraft carrier-based operations. Developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Navy, the X-47B is a tailless, strike fighter-sized aircraft capable of semi-autonomous operation and aerial refueling. It was part of the Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program to prove the feasibility of operating unmanned aircraft from carriers. While the X-47B itself is not intended for operational deployment, it successfully demonstrated autonomous carrier launches and recoveries, as well as aerial refueling, paving the way for future unmanned carrier aviation.
Specifications
Crew: None aboard (semi-autonomous operation)
Length: 38 ft 2 in (11.63 m)
Wingspan: 62.1 ft (18.9 m) extended; 30.9 ft (9.4 m) folded
Height: 10 ft 5 in (3.10 m)
Wing area: 953.6 sq ft (88.59 m2)
Empty weight: 28,837 lb (13,080 kg) zero fuel weight
Max takeoff weight: 44,501 lb (20,185 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F100-220U turbofan
Performance
Range: 2,400 mi (3,900 km, 2,100 nmi)
Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (12,800 m)
Cruise speed: Mach 0.9+ / 690 mph (high subsonic)
Armament
2 weapon bays, providing for up to 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) of ordnance
Source
clear dragon
runic pine
elder chasm
lapis atlas
warm zinc
coral portal
potent pivot
opal crescent
prime vessel
deep summit
