The Navy’s X-47B unmanned combat air system demonstrator (UCAS-D) has begun touch and go landing operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

For UCAS-D, this represents the most significant technology maturation of the programme. Ship relative navigation and precision touchdown of the X-47B are critical technology elements for all future unmanned carrier aviation (UCA) aircraft.

Don Blottenberger, UCAS-D Deputy Programme Manager, commented, “This landing, rubber hitting deck, is extremely fulfilling for the team and is the culmination of years of relative navigation development. Now, we are set to demonstrate the final pieces of the demonstration.”

The UCAS-D test team and CVN 77 worked together to successfully complete the first ever launch of an unmanned aircraft from an aircraft carrier proving the importance of introducing unmanned aviation into the already powerful arsenal of aircraft squadrons.

“We are proud to be a part of another historic first for Naval Aviation. The landing was spot-on and it’s impressive to witness the evolution of the Carrier Air Wing,” said Captain Brian E. Luther, Commanding Officer USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

The various launch and landing operations of the X-47B on the flight deck of George H.W. Bush signify historic events for naval aviation history. These demonstrations display the Navy’s readiness to move forward with unmanned carrier aviation operations.

Captain Jaime Engdahl, Programme Manager for Unmanned Combat Air Systems Programme Office, said, “When we operate in a very dynamic and harsh carrier environment, we need networks and communication links that have high integrity and reliability to ensure mission success and provide precise navigation and placement of an unmanned vehicle.”

The UCAS-D programme plans to conduct shore-based arrested landings of the X-47B at NAS Patuxent River in the coming months before final carrier-based arrestments later in 2013.