Northrop Grumman X-47B

Northrop Grumman · United States · first flew 2011 · reconnaissance aircraft

The Northrop Grumman X-47B is an American unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator designed for carrier operations, notable for being the first unmanned aircraft to conduct autonomous arrested landings on an aircraft carrier. It flew first in 2011 and demonstrated aerial refuelling capability in 2015.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Tailless flying-wing carrier-based UCAV demonstrator
• First unmanned aircraft to perform arrested carrier landings
• Cranked-arrow flying wing with no vertical tail

A cranked-arrow flying wing with no fuselage protrusions or tail surfaces, dark grey finish, buried engine with a dorsal-like inlet — a highly distinctive all-wing shape on the ramp or deck.

Specifications

• The Northrop Grumman X-47B has a length of 11.63 m (38 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 18.93 m (62 ft).
• Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed under the US Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) programme, the X-47B proved that stealthy unmanned aircraft could operate from carriers. Two aircraft were built and conducted extensive tests aboard USS George H.W. Bush.

Variants

Two airframes (AV-1 and AV-2) were constructed; the programme fed into the MQ-25 Stingray tanker acquisition.

Where you'll see it

Never entered operational service; both airframes are preserved as museum pieces following the conclusion of the UCAS-D programme.

Related aircraft

• Northrop Grumman RQ-180
• Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk
• Northrop Grumman EQ-4B Global Hawk
• Northrop Grumman RQ-8A Fire Scout
• Boeing Phantom Ray
• Dassault nEUROn
• Prox Dynamics Black Hornet Nano
• PTDI Wulung

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.