Caught on Film: UCAS Taxi Test


INDUSTRY SEARCH:				WORLD AEROSPACE DATABASE:		Search Sponsored by:

Farnborough Air Show 2010 Special Report

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Caught on Film: UCAS Taxi Test

Posted by Amy Butler at 1/12/2010 9:29 AM CST

Northrop Grumman officials have kept a low profile on their X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator since their customer, the U.S. Navy, announced a delay to first flight last year. It was slated for November but slipped to the first quarter of 2010. But, photographer Jim Mumaw caught a glimpse of some progress toward that goal Dec. 29.

These photos of the first UCAS-D are in a rare jaunt from its hangar when the aircraft is undergoing a tow taxi test at the U.S. Air Force’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif.. As of last week, the aircraft had not taxied under its own power. The company has completed a taxi readiness review with the U.S. Navy, according to a program official. A self-powered taxi test is slated for this month.

Despite the hiccup in scheduling, the all important sea trails are still expected in 2012, Navy officials say.

At the root of the delay were propulsion acoustic and engine-start sequencing issues that occurred late last year. Those have since been resolved, according to the program official.

Comments (3) | Permanent Link