![Aviators plan to keep carrier drones on the sidelines X-47B UCLASS AAR](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSLF9rSEVjVekxDLz3vFhkuNU1R8jtbK1eV8GqE531lt1UBlG6iKEG0O8ZJ33tpmpqsKSceHaNH5AyDHvPPo21HymqTib7i6sciHzmdugUEeAvwekNJWeDs9qBWiOFyBfn3xo/s640/X-47B+AAR.jpg)
The test took place yesterday off the coast of Maryland. X-47B "Salty Dog 502" successfully plugged into a contractor-operated tanker aircraft, demonstrating that an unmanned, tailless aeroplane with a stealthy shape can not only take off and land on an aircraft carrier but also refuel while airborne.
It had already been shown that un-piloted aircraft can refuel air-to-air but it wasn't known if a robotic combat-worthy carrier-based machine could do it too.
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Why are they being retired? Seems like a waste. It looks like the demonstration has only been going on for a year. Isn't there more they can do?
ReplyDelete“Given the differences between the X-47 and the UCLASS and the amount of money it would take to make it a more useful risk reduction platform” it would be cost prohibitive
DeleteSource: http://news.usni.org/2015/04/14/navair-aerial-refueling-will-end-x-47b-test-program-salty-dogs-bound-for-museums-or-boneyard