Edwards flight engineers perform first X-47B flight

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EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) --  Testers from Northrop Grumman and the Navy successfully conducted the first flight of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration aircraft here Feb. 4.

The fighter-size unmanned aircraft took off and successfully flew for the 29 minutes planned for its first test flight.

This event marks a critical step in the program, moving the team forward to meet the demonstration objectives of a tailless fighter-sized unmanned aircraft to safely take off from and land on the deck of a Navy aircraft carrier, officials said.

After takeoff, the X-47B climbed to an altitude of 5,000 feet, flew several racetrack-type patterns, and landed safely. The flight provided test data to verify and validate system software for guidance and navigation, and the aerodynamic control of the tailless design.