Future of Naval Aviation?

[stovall]

Here is a little video of the X_47B and what the future may hold. Enjoy!! View HERE

 

[Ian Warren]

Here is a little video of the X_47B and what the future may hold. Enjoy!! View HERE

Thanks for the link Tom , great footage , I must post this over at NZFF, sure many will get a kick out of that
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[Pips]

Absolutely spectacular!

But the visual's out of the cockpit seem incredibly restricted. How the pilot see's over the nose of the aircraft for landing is beyond me.

 

[swimeye]

Absolutely spectacular!

But the visual's out of the cockpit seem incredibly restricted. How the pilot see's over the nose of the aircraft for landing is beyond me.

Hmm if I am not misstaken the aircraft is unmanned and remote controlled


great video though.

 

[BPbobafett1982]

When I was in A&P school last year, we had representatives from Northrop Grumman come in and do a presentation for the class about the future of UAV's and Aviation. I remember one of the Rep's bringing this aircraft up in discussion. The X-47B is fully autonomous, meaning no direct pilot input like the predator drones, the only time a operator is in direct control is when the A/C is on the ground taxiing. The mission profile is loaded to the A/C before flight and can be modified mid-flight by an operator at a mission station, but cannot be flown by direct control remotely.

 

[mike_cyul]

Looked like it was riding on rails down to the no.2 wire. Thanks for the video, Tom!

 

[Deacon211]

Nice video!

I still wonder about the future of UAVs in both military and civilian service. There remains such great advantage in having a human looking out the window that I think you'd need either a much smarter airplane or a much better interface with the operator to really recreate.

As for those things, I wonder exactly how they appear on sensors (radar, IR). It's as big as a Hornet almost. So, if you can see it, you can shoot it down...though I imagine it will be more difficult.

 

[Dev One]

Not so sure about the automatic bit, look how many bods there are below decks looking at their monitors. On the other hand they must have been sure that it would land on the spot seeing all those bods & equipment on the deck - health & safety analysis? Amazing what one can do with modern thinking & in fine weather.
Keith

 

[roger-wilco-66]

Amazing performance, for sure! I hope there still will be some naval aviators in the future!
That guy with the remote control cought my eye, what a fancy bit of R/C model hardware


Cheers,
Mark

 

[Dev One]

Back in the 50's at Llanbedr they were flying pilotless Fireflies from a simple box carried by the 'pilot' off to one side of the runway - now consider the swing on take off with that Griffon up front......Then if it survived the missile test it had to be landed & to catch the arrestor wire(s)......
I'm not sure how much telemetry was available at the mo - must ask those still alive....
Those were the days.....
Keith

 

[Dev One]

Just had confirmation from one of Llanbedr's oldies - there was no telemetry from Fireflies Mk 8 & 9 - very hairy methinks. Just had a signal fail system that activated if no signal received for 30 seconds.
In other words model aircraft radio control technology & no health & safety assessments!
Keith

 

[airattackimages]

That was nice. FOR ME TO POOP ON