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Watch Northrop Grumman’s experimental X-47B in action: America’s UCAV UFO

January 21, 2019
Alex Hollings No Comments Military Aviation, Video

The X-47B may never actually participate in combat operations, but the two technology demonstrators built by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Navy produced some of the most interesting (and unusual looking) military aviation photos of the past ten years. The unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) is, put simply, a drone developed with low observability and combat operations in mind. In practice, however, the thing looks like an alien spaceship being launched from U.S. aircraft carriers.

If this thing didn’t say “Navy” on the side, you might be inclined to take it to your leader. (WikiMedia Commons)

The experimental program officially came to a close in 2015, and as a result, most folks haven’t seen the X-47B do much of anything beyond look positively dangerous sitting on the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush during testing. So while the X-47B may be back on the shelf in favor of newer programs in development like the MQ-25 carrier based drone-refueler, it’s never a bad time to go back and take a look at just how unusual this experimental aircraft really was.

About the Author

Alex Hollings Alex Hollings writes on a breadth of subjects ranging from fitness to foreign policy, all presented through the lens of his experiences as a U.S. Marine, athlete and scholar. A football player, rugby player and fighter, Hollings has spent the better part of his adult life competing in some of the most physically demanding sports on the planet. Hollings possesses a master's degree in communications from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as a bachelor's degree in Corporate and Organizational Communications from Framingham State University.

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