U.S. Navy drone of the latest stealth fighter has reached a new milestone. It has indeed flown in cruise configuration for the first time.
The jet X-47B is designed to fly aerodynamically – does not even have a tail – and partly to improve its stealth. So far, however, in all its flight tests had never withdrawn the landing gear, making it difficult to test its aerodynamic characteristics.

Now further tests will help engineers to test the performance of the aircraft in a wide range of altitudes, speed and fuel conditions. Northrop Grumman is developing the X-4B on behalf of the U.S. Navy, which plans to use them on aircraft carriers. The drone is designed as a robotic attack aircraft, able to assume a multitude of missions at speeds much higher than the Predator and Reaper cousins. It will be the first unmanned aircraft to take off and land on aircraft carriers a platform. Come tale, The Navy is also studying the intelligence drone, so that each X-47B will not need to bother the tower.
Via: Popsci
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