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X-47B (Carrier Trap Milestone)
Northrop Grumman · USA
The X-47B successfully snagged the #3 arresting wire on the USS George H.W. Bush. Unlike a remote-controlled drone, the X-47B used "point-and-click" commands; the actual flight profile and deck-alignment were handled entirely by its onboard computers, proving drones could operate in the most demanding naval environments.
Technical Specifications
| First Flight | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 918 km/h |
| Range | 3,889 km |
| Ceiling | 12,190 m |
| Engines | 1x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U turbofan |
Armament & Payload
Internal bays for 4,500 lbs of JDAMs (experimental).