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NGC Ucas-D 'on course' for first flight |
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Wednesday, 03 September 2008 |
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Northrop Grumman has revealed that work in its revolutionary new Ucas-D is proceeding on schedule and that it will soon be ready for first flight.
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) is on course for the first flight of its new unmanned combat air system demonstrator (Ucas-D), which is scheduled to take place in November 2009, the company has announced.
Two X-47B carrier demonstration system aircraft are currently being built, the first of which is over halfway completed. The contract for the development of the Ucas demonstrators is with the US Navy.
It is the first ever unmanned tailless jet that will be capable of landing aboard a carrier. Flight tests will also reveal its capabilities for catapult lunch and arrested landings to and from the carrier flight deck. The first carrier landing is scheduled to take place in November 2011.
"The Ucas-D program will establish the feasibility of operating stealthy autonomous unmanned aircraft from aircraft carriers, enabling the navy to project a highly survivable and persistent surveillance and attack presence from anywhere to anywhere on the globe," said Scott Winship, vice-president of NGC.
Recently, NGC announced that it is in final stages of preparation for demonstrations of its MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical unmanned air system, following its successful first flight. |
