The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has selected the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) team to receive the 2013 Robert J. Collier Trophy, aviation’s highest honour.

Comprised of leaders in government, business and industry, the NAA voting committee awarded the US Navy, Northrop Grumman and industry partners for “developing and demonstrating the first unmanned, autonomous air system operating from an aircraft carrier.” On May 14, 2013, the X-47B was the first unmanned, tailless aircraft to catapult launch from an aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). Three days later, the aircraft made the first carrier-based touch-and-go landings. On July 10, 2013, the X-47B made history again on CVN 77 by being the first unmanned, tailless aircraft to make an arrested landing aboard a carrier.

Conferred annually, the Collier Trophy recognises one team or individual who has made “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America” during the previous year. Past recipients of the trophy include Howard Hughes (1938), Neil Armstrong (1969), the B-2 (1991), Global Hawk (2000) and SpaceShipOne (2004).