Aircraft
Unmanned X-47B Completes First Carrier Deck Tests
The Northrop Grumman unmanned combat air system demonstrator completed deck-handling tests on the USS Harry S. Truman in December. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
The Northrop Grumman unmanned combat air system demonstrator completed deck-handling tests on the USS Harry S. Truman in December. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Navy and prime contractor Northrop Grumman completed the first at-sea deck handling tests of the X-47B unmanned combat air system (UCAS) demonstrator last month. The demonstrator aircraft, one of two built for the program, performed numerous activities aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman both in port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., and during the 15-day test phase at sea.