X-47B Accomplishes First Unmanned Aerial Refueling Mission | Aviation International News

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

X-47B Accomplishes First Unmanned Aerial Refueling Mission

The Northrop Grumman-built unmanned combat demonstrator will be retired now that it has completed its final test objective.

The X-47B completes the first autonomous refueling of an unmanned aircraft on April 22 over Chesapeake Bay. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

April 22, 2015

The U.S. Navy’s Northrop Grumman X-47B ended its run as a demonstrator on April 22 by completing the first autonomous aerial refueling of an unmanned aircraft. The tailless, fighter-sized drone received two tons of fuel from an Omega Aerial Refueling Services Boeing K-707 tanker, the Naval Air Systems Command (Navair) announced.

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