Big Boys Catapult

[CAEBr]

Catapult launches have now gone up a notch with this latest achievement, although getting it back onto a heaving deck from the safety of a small room deep in the bowels of the carrier might be a little more difficult.........

First Catapult Launch Of The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) Demonstrator - YouTube

[ORAC]

XTVNIVjMDhM

[SpazSinbad]

Actual precision landings ashore have been excellent - hence going to sea soon.

Navy: Carrier Drone’s Wave-Off Window Shorter Than Contractor’s Claim
(NAVY TIMES 15 0CT 12) Joshua Stewart

Navy Aviation News Association of Naval Aviation Hampton Roads Squadron (http://www.hrana.org/news.asp#NavyCarrierDronesWayoff)

"...simulation results have been positive, Engdahl said. Computer models have used a variety of sea conditions and 96 percent of the landings caught either the two or the three wire — the ideal landing zone, depending on the carrier.

The X-47B is programmed to fly a precise, GPS-guided flight plan, an advancement that shortens the response time and makes it more predictable, Engdahl said. [JPALS will improve precision later also.]

Adding to the complexity, however, is the plane’s tailless design. It’s uncertain how it will perform while flying through the “burble,” or the wake in the air created by the carrier’s superstructure, Engdahl said.

He also said it takes around a tenth of a second for an LSO, who monitors flight paths, to signal a wave-off and abort a landing. It takes another tenth of a second for the X-47B to respond, Engdahl said.

At that point, a variety of factors could effect the wave-off, including the amount of fuel onboard and wind, Engdahl said."

[sitigeltfel]

Ah yes, but will it recognise this guy.....;)

http://navysite.de/cat/go.gif

[SpazSinbad]

Can't see the graphic so cannot comment. Anyhoo....

NUCAS and Paddles

http://www.hrana.org/documents/PaddlesMonthlyOctober2012.pdf

"There are two primary goals in developing the Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS-D) when it comes to landing aboard ship. First, if an unmanned aircraft can't land safely and consistently on the boat, it's not fit for naval service and we don't want it. This is non-negotiable. Second, the LSOs need to be able to wave unmanned vehicles, as much as practical, the same as they do a manned aircraft. LSOs cannot be asked to have procedures different than those they use for manned aircraft; that would be a training nightmare and a recipe for disaster. This second point is somewhat negotiable due to available technologies and budget constraints, but remains an important target for implementing LSO requirements during the UCAS demonstration.

Building on these fundamental premises, the Navy UCAS program has been very intentional in working with the Navy LSO School to ensure we get this right, and has enjoyed a close, open working relationship throughout UCAS-D development and testing. What follows is an overview of the systems developed through this cooperative relationship, a brief description of unique requirements, and a discussion to address a potential concern...."

Details in the PDF story.

[cattletruck]

Put fly-paper on the deck to stop it in its tracks when landing.

This technology is awesome when it works but such complexity only works well within narrow parameters. Would be a bit of a bummer if the UAV pilot went to the coffee machine and the catapult threw his plane off the ship. We'll fix that in the next release I hear them say.

Although this technology has its place and purpose, I would recommend the Hornet drivers leave a few spare bullets in the cannon to clear the pattern when they are down to vapours rather than call IT support for assistance.

[chopper2004]

Orac,

The 'wireless' ground handling procedures kind of remind me of a post (3/4) the page below

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/453162-f-117-secrecy-3.html

as in handling an a/c you weren't allowed to see but could still guide into the hangar at some point during Scotland's secret history :) :cool:

I downloaded the Future Weapons Episode on iTunes about X45 and looked pretty impressive but can't see it completely taking over the carrier air wing strike capability.

1980s - A-6E, A-7E, EA-6BF-14A/D, F/A-18A,

1990s- A-6E and A-7E (early 90s Desert Storm and just post), EA-6B, F-14D, F/A-18C

Today - F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G

Tomorrow - X45 and F-35

Cheers and have a great weekend

[Brian Abraham]

At sea as we speak for trial on the Harry S. Truman

X-47B 'stealth drone' hoped to be first carrier-borne unmanned aircraft | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2240394/X-47B-stealth-drone-hoped-carrier-borne-unmanned-aircraft.html)

[Avtur]

Has the Royal Navy decided if it will buy any UAS?

[mike-wsm]

It has bae working on one (presumably with no cat?)


edit - think it's called taranis
.

[John Farley]

although getting it back onto a heaving deck from the safety of a small room deep in the bowels of the carrier might be a little more difficult.........

I don't believe anybody has suggested it will be done that way.

[snafu]

Has the Royal Navy decided if it will buy any UAS?

The way we're going at the moment, I think University Air Squadrons will be redefined as front-line capability before long!

[Avtur]

Snafu; don't give up the day job.

[WhiteOvies]

Picture and caption of X-47 being loaded onto the Truman.


DCMilitary.com: Truman Hosts X-47B for carrier-based testing (http://www.dcmilitary.com/article/20121129/NEWS14/711299899/truman-hosts-x-47b-for-carrier-based-testing)

Not sure Taranis has ever been envisaged to go to sea....:confused:

[Milo Minderbinder]

If memory serves correctly, Engadine had Jindivik storage and launchers above the helicopter hanger

How were they recovered? Or were they on a one-way trip?

[SpazSinbad]

Autonomous drone poses no technology challenges for Navy, official says
By Bob Brewin November 30, 2012

Autonomous drone poses no technology challenges for Navy, official says - Nextgov.com (http://www.nextgov.com/defense/2012/11/autonomous-drone-poses-no-technology-challenges-navy-official-says/59891/?oref=ng-HPriver)

"The Navy has not found technology challenges in developing the Northrop Grumman X-47B unmanned combat air system aircraft, Capt. Jaime Engdahl, program manager for the system, told a press briefing Friday.

Designed to fly autonomously without a ground-based pilot, unlike drones such as the Air Force’s Predator, the X-47 successfully completed its first catapult launch Thursday from the Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, Md. The craft then flew and landed back at the base, said Carl Johnson, the Northrop Grumman program manager.

The Navy loaded the second X-47B demonstrator on the Norfolk, Va.-based USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier on Tuesday for flight deck test operations. A catapult launch and flight test for the unmanned aircraft from an East Coast-based carrier is slated for the summer of 2013....

...In addition to these live tests, Navy and Northrop Grumman officials said the X-47B has flown thousands of flights in a computer simulation lab, and Engdahl said that the service “has not found any technology challenges” through any stages of flight, including launch, simulated aerial refueling and landing.

Mike Mackey, another Northrop Grumman program director, said the aircraft is managed by 3.5 million lines of software code. Engdahl said this software digitizes the view a pilot would have for flight operations, including carrier landings.

Software is also installed in carrier air traffic control systems, with a version of that software installed at Patuxent River. While the X-47B flies autonomously, it still is monitored by a live operator, Engdahl said.

Precision GPS systems installed on a carrier and on the X-47B provide a glide slope path to guide the aircraft onto the ship, he said.

The X-47B’s autonomous flight on Thursday stayed within inches of the programmed flight path, Johnson said...

...Whether or not the Navy will ever deploy a squadron of unmanned aircraft is not known at this time. But Engdahl said he already sees a payoff for improved performance of manned flight operations in the future, including carrier landings in rough weather and nighttime aerial refueling.”

Probably best to read entire article at URL above.

[WhiteOvies]

Pretty sure USN has already deployed Firescout in Sqn numbers aboard it's ships.

It really highlights how simple an airframe can be when you don't need to worry about aircrew escape systems, aircrew life support, cockpit displays, voice comms, helmet mounted displays etc...

[SpazSinbad]

Firescout deployed onboard a USN destroyer for five months - just returned. A squadron for Firescout formed earlier with NCO pilots. Anyway....

US aircraft carrier tests new drone 30 Nov 2012 by W.J. Hennigan

US Navy Aircraft Carrier Tests New Drone | X-47B | Photos (http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/us-aircraft-carrier-tests-new-drone-20121129-2aik0.html)

“...the X-47B, is designed to perform one of aviation's most difficult maneuvers: landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier. What's even more remarkable is that it will do that not only without a pilot in the cockpit, but without a pilot at all.

With the drone's ability to be flown autonomously by an on-board computer, the X-47B marks a paradigm shift in warfare....

...The X-47B could carry out a combat mission controlled entirely by a computer. A human pilot designs a flight path and sends it on its way, and a computer program guides it from a ship to target and back....

...The X-47B is an experimental jet — that's what the X stands for — and is designed to demonstrate new technology, such as automated takeoffs, landings and refueling. The drone also has a fully capable weapons bay with a payload capacity of 2040 kilograms, but the Navy said it has no plans to arm it....

...The Navy has said it expects the X-47B to first land on a carrier by 2013, relying on pinpoint GPS coordinates and advanced avionics. The carrier's computers digitally transmit the carrier's speed, cross-winds and other data to the drone as it approaches from kilometres away.”
_______________

Launching A New Era: Navy Creates 1st Unmanned Helicopter Unit
New definition of pilot? Enlisted Sailors will operate drones
(SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE 09 SEP 12) ... Jeanette Steele

Navy Aviation News Association of Naval Aviation Hampton Roads Squadron (http://www.hrana.org/news.asp#LaunchingANewEra)
OR
Launching a new era: Navy creates 1st unmanned helicopter unit Page 1 of 2 | UTSanDiego.com (http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/09/launching-new-era-navy-creates-1st-unmanned-helico/)

"...The North Island squadron, to be called the HUQ-1 Hydras, will operate the larger MQ-8C drones off of warships such as destroyers and frigates. Nine units from the squadron will be available to dispatch with these vessels on regular six or seven-month deployments.

Pilots trained at the squadron also will fly smaller MQ-8B drones off of the Navy’s new littoral combat ships.

...The Navy’s new “pilot” Sailors – probably first-class petty officers and above, Harrison said – will receive a five to six-month training course.
The officers who are already helicopter pilots will get a shorter version, only five or six weeks...."

[Herod]

Dear Santa. On my wish list is......;). Makes these little radio-controlled helicopters they sell for twenty pounds look silly. That's a real big-boy's toy.

[SpazSinbad]

Fire Scout Problems Delay Full Fielding | Aviation International News (http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2012-11-30/fire-scout-problems-delay-full-fielding-1)

[Bastardeux]

Unless Taranis is in any way carrier capable, then the Royal Navy aren't getting a UAV for a very long time, but at least we could buy some of these inst...oh wait.

[tartare]

That cat shot is very cool to watch.
Has it actually caught a cable yet - or it that still to come?