X-47B

The US Navy's X-47B unmanned aircraft has gone out on a high note by conducting the first ever Autonomous Aerial Refueling (AAR) exercise off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. It successfully took on 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) of jet fuel as it completed the project's final test objective.

To show that unmanned aircraft can work in this hectic environment alongside manned ones, the US Navy has successfully set its X-47B UCAV to carry out landing and deck maneuvers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in concert with an F/A-18 fighter.

The US Navy is preparing to conduct a series of test activities with the aim of nailing down air standard operating procedures for air traffic control and ground support that will allow the X-47B unmanned aircraft to operate alongside manned aircraft.

After taking to the air for the first time in early 2011, the X-47B UAV has been ticking off a series of firsts, including being the first unmanned aircraft to launch and recovery from a modern aircraft carrier. Another box has now been ticked with the aircraft completing its first night flights.

It’s almost 2014 and time for a bit of aeronautical reflection as we look back at what new technologies promise us a hypersonic, jet-packed future of aviation and innovation. So let’s have a glance at Gizmag’s pick of the top five aeronautical achievements of 2013.

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator put another page in the history books on Wednesday when it made its first unmanned arrested-wire carrier landing on the carrier USS George H.W. Bush.

On Friday May 17, the US Navy's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator took another historic step as it conducted its first touch-and-go landings on the nuclear aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.

An X-47-B drone has taken off from a US Navy nuclear aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia.

Northrop Grumman and the US Navy carried out a successful carrier-style landing of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator.

The Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completed its first sea trials aboard aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman

The USS Truman has become the first aircraft carrier to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft.

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator has taken yet another step on the path towards unmanned aircraft operating amongst piloted aircraft on a carrier deck with its first-ever steam-powered catapult launch.