Navy Killer Drone Complete; 1st Flight Set for '09

Six months ago, a leading defense think tank warned that the Navy might cancel its killer drone project, the unmanned combat air system demonstration (UCAS-D). Today, the Navy is expanding the experimental robo-plane's set of missions; not only will it be expected to take off from a carrier; it's now supposed to autonomously refuel in mid-flight, as well. And Northrop Grumman, which is making a pair of X-47B drones for the $600 million, five-year program, is showing off its first completed aircraft. (Ares has a bunch of pictures.)

Unlike today's crop of armed drones, the UCAS-D planes are supposed to be stealthy, and able to operate largely on their own. If they fly as planned, they'll be a major leap from the current fleet of Reaper and Predator robocraft.

The company says the X-47B will "now undergo subsystem and structural testing in preparation for first flight in fall 2009." Carrier trials for the killer drone are scheduled for 2011.
Wired