The true test will be when they try and land the thing on a pitching, rolling deck of a carrier
In 2013, these aircraft will be used to demonstrate the first carrier-based launches and recoveries by an autonomous, low-observable-relevant unmanned aircraft. The UCAS-D program will also mature relevant carrier landing and integration technologies, and demonstrate, in 2014, autonomous aerial refueling by the X-47B aircraft.
I'd bet a computer will do it as easy or better than a pilot. That is what the design is for.
That's the game BTW.....2013
From Lockheed/Gruman
We didn't land on the moon until we tried.
No auto land in commercial?
All I said dell was the real test is when they actually try and land the thing on a pitching, rolling deck in bad weather. We are not talking about auto landing an A320 or 777 on a ten thousand foot runway. Carrier ops are an entirely different animal that is not very forgiving. You crack up a Predator on a runway no big deal. You do that on a carrier there can be some very serious consequences.
Yeah and they got it in the plans and they will launch and recover it. 😉
Yes I know they plan to launch and recover it. I just wonder what their plans are for EMCON operations, loss of data link when astern of the boat, mechanical failure when operating on or around the boat, etc,etc. Both you and I know manufactureres make promises that don't always pan out. And I also know that there are a whole lot of things that can go wrong on a carrier deck.
The Navy's Modified X-47B Unmanned Drone Makes China's 'Carrier-Killing' Missiles Obsolete