Drone X-47B fighter lands on Navy carrier, handles glitch well 11 Jul 2013 By Larry Dignan
"Summary: The algorithm guided autonomous X-47B successfully lands on the USS George H.W. Bush twice and self detected a computer anomaly that took it to shore without incident.
The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) completed two arrested landings on board the USS George H.W. Bush on Wednesday and self-detected "a navigation computer anomaly" and diverted to a shore landing site.
According to the U.S. Navy, the carrier landing of the X-47B ushers in an era of unmanned aircraft that can conduct naval aviation missions. The test, conducted off the coast of Virginia, revolved around a 35 minute flight from the Pax River to the carrier and caught the 3 wire with the aircraft's tail hook. The X-47B came to stop in less than 350 feet.
After the first landing, the algorithm-guided X-47B was catapulted off the carrier again. On the third flight, the Navy said the drone "self detected a navigation computer anomaly that required the air vehicle to transit to the assigned shore based divert landing site, Wallops Island Air Field. The X-47B navigated to and landed without incident."..."
Drone X-47B fighter lands on Navy carrier, handles glitch well | ZDNet