X47-B Robotic Jet makes First Flight

"A bat-winged robotic jet resembling a miniature B-2 stealth bomber flew for the first time at Edwards Air Force Base in a test flight that could mark a new age in naval aviation.

"Century City-based Northrop Grumman Corp.’s experimental drone, dubbed X-47B, climbed to 5,000 feet in a 29-minute flight on Friday, the U.S. Navy said in a statement.

"The X-47B is being developed to take off from an aircraft carrier, drop a bomb on an enemy target and then land back on a carrier, all without a pilot."

Northrop's X-47B robotic jet makes first flight from Edwards Air Force Base | Money & Company | Los Angeles Times

 

The X47-B drone can now operate from aircraft carriers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC8U5_4lo2c

 

OK...now we have drone bombers...so logic suggests the next is a fighter drone, designed to take out bomber/recon drones...WW1 all over again...

 

And the 'aces' in this conflict to be won't be introverts who shoot game and play the violin to unwind.

The new pilot will be air conditioned and quaffing soft drink in between fast food snacks. They'll be technologiacally savvy extroverts with or without consciences. They won't see their enemies as fellow knights either. Their attitudes will vary according to experience, and some will get a problem with the damage from the punishment these weapons will dish out. Those ones may welll crack.....classified as LMF and 'grounded'.

We may see many similarities indeed to those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines.

 

Ilot? I meant, VIRTUAL pilot.

but you guys knew that, didn't you!