Unmanned Navy Carrier Aircraft Program: Progress Update
One year ago, Sailors watched an unmanned air vehicle take-off from a nuclear-powered carrier flight deck for the first time in naval aviation history, says Capt. "May 14, 2013 was an extraordinary day for the Navy. The crew from USS George H.W. Bush launched the X-47B that morning off the coast of Virginia. The tailless, autonomous unmanned aircraft took to the skies, while the flight crew on deck celebrated this historic achievement. Our Naval Air Forces Commander Vice Adm. David Buss called it “a watershed event” as he watched from the flight deck. He compared this event to aviation pioneer Eugene Ely’s first-ever landing on the deck of a ship in 1911. In July, the UCAS-D team went back to the ship and took testing one step further.
Today in U.S. Naval History: February 20
Today in U.S. 1962 – Lt. Col. John Glenn, USMC becomes first American to orbit Earth. His flight in Friendship 7 (Mercury 6) consisted of 3 orbits in 88 minutes at a velocity of 17,544 mph with the highest altitude of 162.2 statute miles. Recovery was by USS Noa (DD-841). 1962 - USS Dixie (AD-14) rescues lone crewman aboard a sailing yawl adrift for four days. 1974 - S-3A Viking ASW aircraft (carrier jet) introduced officially, given to VS-41. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
This Day in Naval History – Feb. 20
1815 - USS Constitution, under Captain Charles Stewart, captures HMS Cyane and sloop-of-war Levant 1962 – Lt. Col. John Glenn, USMC becomes first American to orbit Earth. His flight in Friendship 7 (Mercury 6) consisted of 3 orbits in 88 minutes at a velocity of 17,544 mph with the highest altitude of 162.2 statute miles. Recovery was by USS Noa (DD-841). 1962 - USS Dixie (AD-14) rescues lone crewman aboard a sailing yawl adrift for four days. 1974 - S-3A Viking ASW aircraft (carrier jet) introduced officially, given to VS-41. (Source: Navy News Service)
