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X-45 Makes Debut Flight

Posted by Hemos on from the let's-go-fly-a-kite dept.

jonerik writes "The Associated Press (by way of MSNBC) reports the debut flight on Wednesday of Boeing's X-45A, the first unmanned aircraft designed from the start to carry weapons. According to the article, the X-45 - one of two being tested - flew for 14 minutes and will be able to carry 3,000 pounds of guided bombs. If eventually purchased by the Pentagon, expect to see it in service sometime between 2007 and 2010. The plane's relatively cheap cost ($10-15 million per aircraft), ease of maintenance, and lack of an onboard pilot will likely make it a staple of future U.S. war plans."

2 of 530 comments (clear)

  1. Unmanned hey? by zero2k · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    H@ck50r time. Now the 3l33t can prove themselves

  2. I'm very sorry for what I'm about to do... by lostchicken · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    How'd you like a Beowulf cluster of these?

    Oh, wait, wrong obligatory post.
    *groan*

    --
    -twb