Meet the X-47B; $1.5 Billion Stealth Drone, Belongs to the US Navy
The Northrop Grumman X-47B is a demonstration unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for aircraft carrier-based operations. Developed by the American defense technology company Northrop Grumman, the X-47 project began as part of DARPA's J-UCAS program, and subsequently became part of the United States Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The X-47B is a tailless jet-powered blended-wing-body aircraft capable of semi-autonomous operation and aerial refueling.
General characteristics
Crew: None aboard (semi-autonomous operation)
Length: 38 ft 2 in (11.63 m)
Wingspan: 62.1 ft (18.9 m) extended; 30.9 ft (9.4 m) folded
Height: 10 ft 5 in (3.10 m)
Wing area: 953.6 sq ft (88.59 m2)
Empty weight: 28,837 lb (13,080 kg) zero fuel weight
Max takeoff weight: 44,501 lb (20,185 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F100-220U turbofan
Performance
Range: 2,400 mi (3,900 km, 2,100 nmi)
Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (12,800 m)
Cruise speed: Mach 0.9+ (high subsonic)
Armament
2 weapon bays, providing for up to 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) of ordnance
Avionics
Provisions for EO/IR/SAR/ISAR/GMTI/MMTI/ESM
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#stealth
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#uavs
