Say Hello to X-47B

From the press release here.

"The X-47B will demonstrate how unmanned combat aircraft can operate from aircraft carriers and is a necessary first step toward extending the aircraft carrier's reach and power projection from anywhere in the world," said Capt. Martin Deppe, the U.S. Navy Unmanned Combat Aircraft System Program Manager. "We look forward to a time when we can introduce a new long range, persistent, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) -- strike capability to the carrier decks of tomorrow."

The aircraft will now undergo subsystem and structural testing in preparation for first flight in fall 2009. UCAS CV Demonstration sea trials are planned to begin in late 2011.

Looks kinda cool in the blue light, too bad these were the only two good pictures released that I can find. Hopefully we will get a better look at it now that people have been able to see it, and perhaps take a picture or two of their own.

You realize the shape of this aircraft is going to have the UFO folks going nuts with false alarms. Looks kind of small to me, not much room for weapons, and I'd be curious about both range and speed... including how much range the X-47 sacrifices for speed.

Regardless, baby steps but steps nonetheless in the right direction.