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Robot Jet Fighter Takes First Flight

Posted by Roblimo on from the look-ma-no-hands dept.

lysdexia writes "The X-47B is a Tailless Flying Robotic Overlord, which requires neither puny human pilot nor extraneous remote control. First flight was 29 minutes, climbing to a height of 5000 ft. Next step: landing on aircraft carrier."

1 of 119 comments (clear)

  1. Not a Jet Fighter by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 5, Informative

    Nor is it as other websites have called it, a bomber.

    X-47 is pure experimental but does have a weapons bay that could theoretically hold two 1000 pound JDAMs. Were a production plane made out of this it would be an MQ - multi-role (M) unmanned aircraft system (Q) or AQ - attack (A) unmanned aircraft system (Q).

    It doesn't carry nor is it currently designed to carry an M-61 gatling gun, which every current F designated US aircraft has, nor does it have any missile capable hard points.

    And yea, the F-117A is misdesginated too.