New X-47B completes first flight
The second X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) to be built has completed its first flight. Developed by the US Navy and Northrop Grumman and with GKN Aerospace fuselage and wing structure, the X-47B is currently undergoing a full flight testing programme.
GKN Aerospace has been contracted by the team to produce the tailless aircraft’s complex centre fuselage, wings, bay covers and actuated doors, all produced by GKN Aerospace, contain a lightweight aluminium, titanium or composite substructure that is covered by several hundred square feet of durable, light weight carbon reinforced composite skins. Each wing supports a spoiler flight control surface and hosts fully integrated electrical and hydraulic routings. The wing design also incorporates a fold capability that enables the air vehicle to achieve a smaller footprint for aircraft carrier stowage.
According to GKN Aerospace, the company’s teams at its development centre in Nashville, TN and manufacturing operation in St. Louis, MO used advanced design tools and analysis techniques, with state of the art production equipment, to develop and produce more than 650 high performance metallic and composite structures and assemblies for each aircraft.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![US Army moves forward on future tactical UAS without AeroVironment]()
US Army moves forward on future tactical UAS without AeroVironment
AeroVironment has been dropped from the hunt to provide the US Army with a Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS), leaving Griffon Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Sierra Nevada and Textron Systems in the running.
-
![Navantia, SAES and Perseo to jointly develop line of uncrewed underwater vehicles]()
Navantia, SAES and Perseo to jointly develop line of uncrewed underwater vehicles
At FEINDEF in Madrid, Navantia, SAES and Perseo announced an intention to develop a line of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs).
-
![British Army eyes new small armed UAS capability]()
British Army eyes new small armed UAS capability
The UK MoD has released a request for information on small armed UAS which could be used by the British Army.
-
![General Atomics delivers first new build extended range MQ-9A to US Marine Corps]()
General Atomics delivers first new build extended range MQ-9A to US Marine Corps
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) has delivered the first new build MQ-9 Extended Range (ER) to the US Marine Corps (USMC).
-
![Highway landing opens door to future MQ-9 Reaper capabilities]()
Highway landing opens door to future MQ-9 Reaper capabilities
The US has landed an MQ-9 Reaper UAV on a highway for the first time as part of Exercise Agile Chariot.
