No More Challenging Carrier Traps?

Saw this article last week in the San Diego Union-Tribune with the catchy title: "No More Tricky Landings" and had to laugh.  Do the pointy-head engineers really think they can program carrier landings to a science?  Hmm, seem to remember ACL and auto-throttle systems from the 70s and 80s. Sure, the technology is leaps and bounds better, but once the ship starts rocking and rolling, turbulence and lightening strike and a black box or two fails, dare to say it is more than "tricky" to land a 60,000-pound jet--even one with the most sophisticated computer system.

X-47B Update

It's been a while since I posted on the Navy's X-47B program. Here's a link from late Aug where the navy was conducting integrated flight ops on the THEODORE ROOSEVELT alongside an F-18 Hornet. I understand further carrier ops are scheduled in the coming months.

In researching unclassified websites and news reports, it looks like the navy is still at least five or six years away from IOC of the drone. Capitol Hill and the Pentagon continue to fight over what type of platform and mission is best suited for the X-47B-- light strike in a permissive or contested environment. In the meantime, trials and testing continue.

The Sierra Hotel Break

The "Shit Hot" Break explained in titillating detail in Fightersweep.com.  The author describes the penultimate carrier break perfected by Mike "Nasty" Manazir, a former F-14 fighter pilot and Landing Signal Officer, now serving as Director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N98).  A great article! 

The Last Top Gun Available on Kindle

Not sure why it took so long, but the book is finally available on Kindle for just $2.99.  Click here to order.

F-18 Hornets Pound ISIL Militants in Iraq

The U.S. military says American jet fighters and drones conducted four more airstrikes Saturday on Islamic militants in Iraq, taking out armored carriers and a truck that were firing on civilians.

U.S. CENTCOM says the Islamic State militants were firing on Yazidi civilians near Sinjar. The refugees have been taking shelter in the Sinjar mountains.

Fitting that the Hornets flew of the USS GEORGE HW BUSH (CVN-77), eh?

Great Summer Read

Ever wonder what it's like to be catapaulted off an aircraft carrier in 2.2 seconds at 175 miles per hour?  Or how about breaking the sound barrier, or visitng exotic foreign ports of call? Ever think what it would be like to be a Top Gun fighter pilot..no, not the Hollywood version, but the real thing?  Then "The Last Top Gun" is for you.  Available on Amazon (coming to Kindle and many bookstores soon). Check 6!

X-47B Lands on Carrier

Naval Aviation made history yesterday when a X-47B caught the first trap at sea onboard USS George H. Bush.  Here's a link to the story.

The Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) program has been in existence for over ten years, and seems to be ramping up at a record pace recently with the X-47B bomber and Fire Scout MQ-8B helicopter.

With the UCAS aircraft moving quickly along in development and the first F-35C being delivered to Eglin AFB last month to begin joint training with Air Farce, Marine and Navy aviators, it's an exciting time for Naval aviation.

Bush to Launch X-47B

 

The Navy says it will make its first attempt tomorrow to launch Northrop Grumman's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System drone from an aircraft carrier. The aircraft is scheduled to undergo a catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush off the East Coast.

 

Rear Adm. Mat Winter, the Navy's program officer for the X-47B, said online Monday that:

Controlled by a mission operator aboard the ship, the X-47B will execute several carrier approaches demonstrating its ability to operate seamlessly within the carrier environment before it flies over the Eastern Shore and lands back at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., where two demonstration aircraft have resided for the past year

Over the coming years, we will heavily leverage the technology maturation, networking advances and precision navigation algorithms developed from the X-47B demonstration program to pursue the introduction of the first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. This future system will provide 24/7, carrier-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and targeting capability, which will operate together with manned aviation assets allowing the opportunity to shape a more efficient carrier air wing.

Is it just me, or does development of the X-47B seem to be on the fast track?  Guess the Navy wants to challenge the Air Farce for UAV funding.

Navy Launches Its First Drone Squadron

Yesterday at NAS Coronado, the Navy inaugurated its first squadron with unmanned aircraft, formally adopting drone technology amid debate over its growing use in warfare.

The squadron will have eight manned helicopters and a still-to-be-determined number of the Fire Scout MQ-8 B, an unmanned helicopter that can fly 12 continuous hours tracking targets.

The squadron, the Magicians, will be aboard the Navy's new littoral combat ship in about a year.

Along with ongoing development of the X-47, this milestone marks the Navy's commitment to meanignful presence in the drone battle space. 

X-47B Sea Trials Aboard TRUMAN

The future of Naval aviation is here...and it looks a whole lot like the Air Farce. The unmanned carrier-based aircraft X-47B (yet to be named) stealth bomber underwent taxi and flight deck suitability trials about USS TRUMAN earlier this month.  Check out this comprehensive report from Defense News "Intercepts" website.

Though far from a definitive source on weapons or military systems, Wikipedia's summary of the X-47B provides a decent description of Northrop Grumman's latest carrier-based aircraft. 

It's hard to imagine unmanned aircraft will take over carrier decks or flight lines completely, but it is undisputed that their value and place in DoD's air warfare inventory increases each year. Just hoping "Fly Navy" bumper stickers aren't replaced with "Drone Navy" anytime soon.