He flies and fights on his own

A brief mention of the X-47B in a previous MT issue generated a lot of interest. So let's expand on this topic. 

Tell about it? the first drone to land on an aircraft carrier? this is exciting news for those who know their stuff. But this description of the Northrop Grumman X-47B is very unfair. This is an epochal structure for many other reasons: firstly, the new project is no longer called a “drone”, but an unmanned combat aircraft. An autonomous vehicle can stealthily penetrate enemy airspace, recognize enemy positions, and strike with a power and efficiency never seen before by aircraft.

The US armed forces already have about 10 47 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). They are mainly used in zones of armed conflict and in areas threatened by terrorism in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, but also recently? over the United States. The X-XNUMXB is being developed under the UCAV (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle) program for combat aircraft.

Alone on the battlefield

As a rule, people do not interfere with the flight of the X-47B or interfere minimally. Its relationship with a human is based on a rule called "human in loop" whereby the human has full control but does not "continuously turn the joystick", which fundamentally distinguishes this project from previous drones that were remotely controlled and operated on the principle of "human in loop". when a remote human operator makes all decisions on the fly.

Autonomous machine systems are by and large not entirely new. Scientists have been using autonomous devices to explore the ocean floor for several years. Even some farmers are familiar with such automation in field tractors.

You will find the continuation of this article in the December issue of the magazine

A day in the life of X-47B UCAS