U.S. Navy lands fighter-jet sized drone on aircraft carrier for first time

National Post ^ | 13 July, 2013 | Brock Vergakis, AP

[brityank]

‘A chance to see the future’: U.S. Navy lands fighter-jet sized drone on aircraft carrier for first time

Brock Vergakis, Associated Press | 13/07/11 4:03 PM ET

The U.S. Navy successfully landed a drone the size of a fighter jet aboard an aircraft carrier for the first time Wednesday, showcasing the military’s capability to have a computer program perform one of the most difficult tasks that a pilot is asked to do.

The landing of the X-47B experimental aircraft means the Navy can move forward with its plans to develop another unmanned aircraft that will join the fleet alongside traditional airplanes to provide around-the-clock surveillance while also possessing a strike capability. It also would pave the way for the U.S. to launch unmanned aircraft without the need to obtain permission from other countries to use their bases.

This image provided by the US navy shows sailors moving an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator onto an aircraft elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush     |     U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Walter

The X-47B has a wingspan of about 62 feet (19 metres) and weighs 14,000 pounds (6,350 kilograms), versus nearly 49 feet (15 metres) and about 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms) for the Predator.

[Talisker]

fully autonomous UCAVs are not good for a free society... as it only takes a few at the top to directly wield unimaginable power... be it via drones or bunker launched missiles. no actual people means higher probability of very bad things happening

agree big time... unfortunately, your fears are undoubtedly exactly why these things are being developed...

[MountainYankee]

I wonder if the China and Russia have received their copies of the plans for this yet?

[B4Ranch]

>>Was 561 when I first watched - just reloaded and got 1835. Lots of eyeballs out there!<<

A lot of them are foreigners, I’d guess.

[max americana]

I read a Wired article 2 years ago about the US and Brits operating the drones from a small outpost in the NV desert not named Area 51.

[stevie_d_64]

You know...The first time one of these things goes into the drink, there’s going to be such a meeting!!!

[mechanical computer voice]

“Roger, Drone has the ball...”

You know the odds are on my side that this will eventually happen...

I just hope it doesn’t cost someone there life...

I’m all for technology, but the more we start fartin’ around with the direction some are taking this, I feel it is only a matter of time before it does happen...