X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Completes First Taxi On Truman Carrier

By Caroline Rees / 11 Dec 2012

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator taxies on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and personnel from the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System program office (PMA-268) integrated test team made history Dec. 9 as they taxied an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aircraft for the first time aboard a carrier.

During the test phase, UCAS deck operators used an arm-mounted control display unit (CDU) to remotely control the aircraft.

Gerrit Everson, one of the operators who controlled the X-47B, said the UCAS demonstrator displayed excellent integration with Truman’s flight deck.

“With the CDU, we followed the aircraft director’s signals to move the aircraft left or right, over the arresting wire, to and from the catapults and to various spotting positions,” said Everson. “These tests proved that we can taxi the X-47B with the precision that an aircraft carrier’s flight deck requires.”

Lt. Cmdr. Larry Tarver, Truman’s aircraft handling officer, said every test on the aircraft brings the Navy one step closer to unmanned carrier aviation.
“Nobody has ever done this before,” said Tarver. “Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have flown all over the world, but an X-47B has never operated on an aircraft carrier. Every evolution with this aircraft is taken step-by-step because we don’t fully know how it will react to a carrier environment. It’s a little out of our comfort zone, so our safety precautions are maximized.”

“Every exercise completed out here is data gathered for the UCAS-D team,” said Tarver. “A carrier environment can only be simulated to a certain extent on land, so we have to take our time when it comes to evolutions like this.”

Matt Funk, the lead test engineer on the demonstration project, said Truman has been extremely helpful during the X-47B’s testing, and Sailors aboard the carrier have been receptive to the training required to work with the new system.

“Everyone’s really excited about this program and has provided a lot of positive feedback,” said Funk. “I think it’s been especially popular with younger Sailors who have grown up surrounded by computers. They recognize that the systems used to control and fly the aircraft are very much like what they’d expect to see in a video game.”

“We are bringing the most advanced technologies together to make this a successful evolution,” said Lt. Anthony Lee, Truman’s flight deck officer. “This type of innovation hasn’t been seen since the first time an aircraft landed aboard a carrier, which puts us further ahead as a military.”

According to Don Blottenberger, Principal Deputy Program Manager for PMA-268, the X-47B’s testing aboard Truman has resulted in significant progress for UCAS-D.

“UCAS-D is a learning program which means we’re here to learn all of the lessons of how we will integrate into a variety of the systems on board Truman,” said Blottenberger. “Because we are still in the early stages of this technology, we aren’t currently looking at how these aircraft might be utilized from a mission stand point. Nevertheless, the learning we have done has uncovered the benefits of autonomous flight regardless of whether the aircraft is manned or unmanned.”

Blottenberger said crew members and operators, like those the team has worked with aboard Truman, will remain a large part of this learning and demonstration program through its completion.

“Every person we’ve met is curious and has great questions about what we’re doing and how Sailors interact with the X-47B,” said Blottenberger. “Truman has been invaluable to our program.”

The X-47B is scheduled to complete taxi testing before Truman returns to its homeport in Naval Station Norfolk.

Source: U.S. Navy

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

UK MOD Validates PDW C100 for Aerial Target Designation

Performance Drone Works (PDW) demonstrated the capabilities of its C100 quadcopter for the UK MOD, successfully designating targets with precision and completing extended-range missions during a live-fire event in Texas

Jul 09, 2025
SatLab Showcases Geospatial Technologies at CSPI-EXPO 2025

SatLab attended CSPI-EXPO 2025 in Chiba, Japan from 18-21 June, showcasing its latest innovations across the full spectrum of geospatial solutions

Jul 09, 2025
DeltaQuad Collaboration to Boost VTOL Surveillance Drone Production

DeltaQuad has partnered with VDL Groep to expand production of its Evo surveillance drone, enhancing manufacturing capabilities to meet rising defence sector demand

Jul 09, 2025
FarSounder Argos Powers Autonomous Navigation on Unmanned Surface Vessel

FarSounder’s Argos sonar technology has been integrated into DARPA’s NOMARS vessel, advancing autonomous navigation and situational awareness in unmanned maritime operations

Jul 09, 2025
Impact of Jamming & Spoofing on GNSS Positioning

Tersus GNSS explains how jamming and spoofing interfere with GNSS signals, outlines their distinct impacts, and presents technical strategies for detection and mitigation

Jul 09, 2025
ESA Feasibility Study to Advance Autonomous Drone Landing Without GPS

Agilica completes an ESA-backed study advancing precision drone landing tech that works without GPS, targeting urban, maritime, and complex autonomous UAV operations

Jul 09, 2025

Featured Content

New UAV to Combine Solar Hydrogen & Battery Power for Extended Flight

XSun and H3 Dynamics are developing the first UAV powered by solar, hydrogen, and batteries, aiming to deliver zero-emission, long-endurance unmanned flight

Jul 07, 2025
Enhancing Mangrove Restoration Through 3D Printed Drone Design

Explore how Inverto Earth, in collaboration with HP Additive, is using sustainable 3D printing and drone technology to drive large-scale mangrove restoration and protect vulnerable coastal ecosystems

Jul 03, 2025
Partnership Combines Drone Swarms & Situational Awareness to Boost Wildfire Response

Kongsberg Geospatial and FireSwarm Solutions have partnered to integrate autonomous drone swarms with real-time situational awareness for faster, smarter wildfire response

Jun 30, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.