TEMPO.CO, Washington - The United States Navy tested the new drone attack aircraft in Virginia, yerterday, July 10. Drone X-47B which was produced by Northrop Grumman flew from the Patuxent River Naval Air Station to the deck of an aircraft carrier, George HW Bush in the Atlantic.
The prototype landed by using a predefined program, and without live input from a human pilot. For human pilots, landing on an aircraft carrier is one of the most difficult maneuvers.
The test was done following the historical test of Unmanned Aero Vehicle (UAV) last May by the US Military. "It's not often that you get a chance to see the future, but that's what we got to do today," US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said.
The aircraft has a-3,200km range and the ability to carry the equivalent of two guided bombs. The X-47B increases the prospect an autonomous, long-range, radar-evading, unmanned strike aircraft. Northrop Grumman has been working on the jet since 2007 with a-US$1.4 billion contract, or around Rp14 trillion.
AL JAZEERA | THEVERGE.COM | CHOIRUL
