Media Advisory: U.S. Navy invites media to discuss historic X-47B launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

Archived Body

What:  Members of the electronic, print and broadcast media are invited to participate in a media teleconference to discuss the details of the historic X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The X-47B successfully launched from CVN 77 May 14 and landed safely at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

When: Wednesday, May 15, 2013

  • Conference Check-In: 10:45 to 11:00 a.m. Eastern
  • Media Teleconference: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern

Spokespersons:

Teleconference Call-in Details:

  • Dial in - (424) 203-8400
  • Participant Code - 952921#

Contact:

Media Materials Availability:

You Tube:

http://youtu.be/hknsbswLFwo

http://youtu.be/9nwdIH_A9BI

http://youtu.be/p9W-nd1Hj3Q

http://youtu.be/_FMvNrkwmi0

http://youtu.be/Hitw0UTd9Rc

http://youtu.be/6vdll3FEaKU

 

Background:

The Navy UCAS-Demonstration (UCAS-D) program is chartered to assess the feasibility of operating an unmanned aircraft in the carrier environment. This is a first essential step toward developing a carrier-based unmanned aircraft platform, enabling future carrier air wings to provide continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. This demonstration is the first time a tailless, unmanned autonomous aircraft — the X-47B — launched off a modern aircraft carrier.

The Navy UCAS program successfully completed CVN deck operations aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in December 2012 and is completing shore-based arrested landings at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The X-47B will complete ship-based testing aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in May 2013.

During the test period, the UCAS-D test team will perform deck-handling and ship-integration tests; carrier approaches with the aircraft; the first aircraft launches from the ship’s catapults; touch-and-gos and low approaches on the flight deck.

While the X-47B itself is not intended for operational use, the UCAS program is developing a concept of operations and demonstrating technologies for follow-on unmanned, carrier-based aircraft. The intent of the demonstration program is to assess the feasibility of X-47B’s seamless integration into the carrier systems and environment.