X-47B UCAS Drone Ready For First Flight
Writing by Evan Ackerman on Friday, 19 of December , 2008 at 7:12 am
We’ve been keeping our eye on Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System for over a year now, and it’s looking like the drone is just about to hit reality. The first of two $300 million drones is now complete, and is scheduled for a maiden flight sometime in 2009.
Unlike the Predator and Reaper drones which are remotely operated, the UCAS is designed from the ground up to be autonomous. It’s going to have to get checked out on things like aerial refueling and carrier landings, but as we’ve seen, some of the most challenging tasks for pilots are easily accomplished by robotic systems. Personally, I have very little doubt that the UCAS is going to be able to replace human pilots and aircraft in many, if not most, situations… What remains to be seen, however, is what level of autonomy the armed and robots will be allowed.
Specs on the X-47B, after the jump.
[ Northrop Grumman ] VIA [ Danger Room ]
Comments (4)
Category: Military
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Comment by Moose
Made Friday, 19 of December , 2008 at 10:47 am
I for one welcome our new robot overlords.
Seriously though, am I the only one who gets a slight bit of willies over autonomous systems with weapons?
Additionally: $300 mil? I wonder how many people you could feed/shelter/educate in the developing world for that amount.
Comment by Iron Man
Made Friday, 19 of December , 2008 at 4:03 pm
time for robotic anti aircraft guns?
Comment by Bob
Made Monday, 22 of December , 2008 at 10:40 pm
$300 million will help to house and feed dozens of corrupt UN officials, at least one absolute dictator, and keep maybe 50 or 60 people who are in front of the cameras just above starvation. Alternatively if the media doesn’t care enough about the sad third world country in question to send cameras it will take care of just the corrupt UN officials and dictator.
Also, these are prototypes. That $300 million a shot is higher than what production models will run.
So the real question is, in the final analysis, which is more valuable, a US citizen willing to give their life for their country, or a bunch of corrupt human aid workers, a dictator, and maybe a few people who will never amount to anything other than carbon dioxide, worm food, and fertilizer production.
Comment by Aaron
Made Thursday, 25 of December , 2008 at 8:18 pm
…you know, I actually thought the movie “Stealth” was awful…but in the interest of self-preservation…
Oh mighty metal ones! I loved the movie Stealth! What a great idea! I fully support it and all other autonomous artificial self-awareness!