Government

Navy’s New X-47B Aerial Drone Could Upgrade Its Reach to Over 3,000 Nautical Miles

The Navy’s newest unmanned stealth drone looks like a cross between the Silver Surfer and a UFO, but there are now plans in the works to add  a super-extended operating range to its capabilities.Navys X 47B Aerial Drone Upgrade Can Beat Chinas Carrier Killing Missile

The X-47B drone is scheduled to have a pilotless, in-air refueling capacity by 2014 that will upgrade its in flight range well beyond 3,000 nautical miles, according to Wired.

That’s 10 times the mission capable range of a traditional manned fighter, which would mean that the stealth drone can operate well-beyond the reported range of China’s “carrier-killer” Dongfeng 21-D missile.

The Carrier-killer missile has a reported range of 2,700 nautical miles and has been considered a threat by some analysts to the U.S. carrier fleet since Beijing officially announced the program last summer.

Carrier trials of the X-47B drone are slated to start on the USS George Washington in 2013.

The X-47B drone is part of the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. UCAS-D could become the workhorse of the Navy’s carrier-based aerial fleet.  Eventually, it could lead to the deployment of carrier-launched drones around the world without risking naval aviators. The absence of a pilot is also key to the extended range of the drones.

The X-47B drone took its first recorded flight in September. You can check out the YouTube video below:

(H/T Business Insider)

Comments (78)

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  • heyjim55
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:53pm

    Rumor has it that there is another type being built that is much faster around the same size that will be able to fly in a swarm type attack involving 30 or more of the same type drones . Like a swarm of bees except with nuclear capability if needed, such a attack would be nearly impossible to defend against , imagine three carrier groups launching such a attack on China, we are talking about over 100 drones with multible capabilities with over 3,000 mile reach swarming in on China’s air defenses and comand and control centers, paving the way for B2 and B1 bombers to do as they please.

    Report Post »  
  • TLS
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:57pm

    Tell me one more time why there is an Iran?

    Report Post »  
    • grayling646
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:47pm

      Maybe because there are too many people in Washington who are on their side?

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on November 10, 2011 at 4:20am

      because the little boy in the white house is praying to mecca

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • BootsAreWalkin
      Posted on November 10, 2011 at 9:11pm

      Yeah Dose, and the millions of innocent people in Iran being oppressed by their pint sized leader and his Qods force will be just more tragic victims of the nuclear holy war he hopes to launch, and if we don’t have the means to stop him, we’ll be victims too. Now that is a “thought”.

      Report Post » BootsAreWalkin  
  • 2ifbyC
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:41pm

    So we have all this great tech and we can’t beat a bunch of 17th century hoods in the desert. What good are the toys if you do not use them to there FULL potential?

    Once again humanity has been hi jacked by PC politicians and cowards. Darwin was right in one aspect, only the strong should survive. Once we ride ourselves of these worthless terrorist and cowards, it will be much easier to care for the truly weak and needy. And we shall return this nation to be the most caring, GOD fearing, shinning city on the hill. Stand up all, and be who we as Americans are meant to be. Not the limp wristed, PC sissys Barry and the Euros want us to be.

    Report Post » 2ifbyC  
    • oldschoolgreen
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:04pm

      Last time I checked Saddam and his boys were gone, Osama was gone, Taliban been knocked upside the head, Republican Guard, gone, Al Queda is a has been orgainzation. What do you want man? Oh thats right you just want to cast dispersions on your betters. Makes you feel good. Okay. Rock on.

      Report Post »  
  • taxpro4u03
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:07pm

    Don‘t let ’em fool ya. kaing this ‘public’ simply means that the thing is locked cocked and ready to ROCK — and I GURANTEE they’re already in the air ;-) — WHY would you ‘announce to your enemy’ your objectives, capabilities and intentions to begin with? Keep drinkin’ the kool-aide (actually it was grape-flavored Flavor-Aide — Jim Jones was too cheap to get the good stuff).

    Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:43pm

      Tell the CICOMS that an attack on any of our aircraft carriers would be considered an attack on the continental USA requiring a retaliation nuclear attack on Chinese cities. Oh, Obama and Democrats have dismantled all our nukes. So sorry.

      Report Post »  
    • oldschoolgreen
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:05pm

      I like the grape the best.

      Report Post »  
    • UrbanCombatSurvivor
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:21pm

      You‘re assuming that the current administration has America as it’s main interest. With this administration you’re making a terrible, terrible mistake in that assumption.

      Report Post »  
    • mrzmac
      Posted on November 10, 2011 at 4:50am

      reply to Urbancombatsurvivor…

      I like you more and more with each post you make…great point! We all seem to forget our government considers the majority of us “terrorist”! Bad mistake on our part!

      Report Post »  
  • blackstone22
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:48pm

    cool video
    Go Navy !

    Report Post »  
  • thegodfather
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:06pm

    America still # 1…we have the best toys

    Report Post » thegodfather  
  • B-Neil
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:01pm

    I want one!

    Report Post »  
  • Nepenthe
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:39pm

    Now we will be able to blow apart innocent civilian children with far greater ease.

    Report Post » Nepenthe  
    • Indispensible - GeorgeWashington
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:00pm

      @Nepenthe – You are a moron! The U.S. Military is by far and above the most capable at avoiding civillian deaths wherever possible. Innocent people being killed is sad and very unfortunate, but it is part of the reality of war.

      We should pray for peace, but be prepared for war. If we are unprepared, then we will lose. This is another tool to help us be prepared as well as spare American lives.

      Report Post » Indispensible - GeorgeWashington  
    • qzak491
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:50pm

      These so called “innocent” children can carry grenades and sucide belts, they ain’t innocent, there the enemy, don’t ever forget it.

      Report Post »  
    • Nepenthe
      Posted on November 10, 2011 at 8:52am

      Yes, two young boys going to pick up their aunt are the ‘enemy’.

      Report Post » Nepenthe  
  • Evil_Conservative
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:34pm

    First target: Qom nuke facility.

    Report Post » Evil_Conservative  
  • desert rat
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:59pm

    Excellent. Now lets cut/scrub/kill the overpriced F-35 in favor of something like this. The Navy wants stealth….it has it with this. The cost of the F-35 is _destroying_ the DOD. The F-35 so expensive no other program or contract in the DOD is going to survive. The DOD has become a slave to the F-35.

    Report Post »  
    • Evil_Conservative
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:32pm

      ehhh… no we need the F35 too. And the F22, and powered combat armor, and more funds for the DOD! Enemies of the US are beefing up all around us, and we are hearing cut defense? that is retarded and suicidal. Cut the friggin entitlements. Social security and medicare are not in the US constitution and should not be concerns of the federal government.

      Report Post » Evil_Conservative  
    • SageInWaiting
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:40pm

      The cost of replacement aircraft has been increasing at a rate that is also unsustainable. F-4 -> F-15 -> F-22; B-52 -> B-1 -> B2; F-16 -> F-35. Technology improvements come at a price. Adversaries improve, forcing OUR next generation. Pilot-less fighters just aren’t there yet. The F-4 was to be a shoot-from-a-distance marvel… until Viet Nam proved the age of the dog fight hadn’t ended. The drones were to solve all our problems; that pesky human pilot that blacks out at 9Gs could be removed from the system… except nothing yet beats the local man-in-the-loop. So prices go up, production runs are cut far short of need due to costs, and our equipment ages… sounds a lot like the rest of our budget ills. Just one more component of the house-of-cards that is the world economy…. and the wind gusts are increasing. Not sure we can cut the 35 yet.

      Report Post » SageInWaiting  
    • desert rat
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:59pm

      If you did not know…..the F-15SE that is the F-15 Silent Eagle which is a stealthy version of the F-15E is just as stealthy and cost a WHOLE lot less than the F-35. Seen the angle of attack issues with the F-35 lately? It can not compete in dog fight. And if you believe the hype on how powerful the sensors are I have a bridge between Los Angeles and Australia I could sell you. Why not make an FB-22 instead of the F-35 (as in the successful F-15E)? The point is the F-35 is so bloated with cost and its capabilities are over sold.

      Report Post »  
    • SageInWaiting
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:41pm

      They tried to replace too much with the 35; Harrier, F-16 (AF), and a Navy variant. It has it’s issues, true, but what do we have as a replacement. The F-35 is a single engine (lower cost) version of the twin-engine F-22, just as the F-16 was a lower cost compliment to the F-15. All we need is money. We’re in the higher cost next-generation aircraft… that take decades to design and build. The F-22 was first competed in the late ‘80’s; the ATA was canceled in 90, replaced (sort-of) by the “Super Hornet”. We‘re 20 years later with aircraft we’re just now buying, building, or, in the case of the 22, put in end-of-production. Consider the money wasted, FOR WHAT? A shell game; constant requirement creep/migration and multi-country production/cost sharing… production by committee. Yes. All kinds of issues, the least of which is we have a hole in our fighter inventory that the 35 was intended to fill. …and issues? Few, if any jet carrier-based aircraft were single engine; the intent was to get battle damaged A/C back to the ship. NAVY VARIANT? Really?

      Report Post » SageInWaiting  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:22pm

    Excellent – this time , don’t give the technology to anyone.

    Report Post »  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:29pm

      THE BLAZE needs a web upgrade it takes way to long for new posts to show up and is becoming bloated its like some OLD MAN.

      Report Post » Mikev5  
    • dread_pirate_roberts
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:33pm

      I want one…………………………..very nice!

      Report Post » dread_pirate_roberts  
    • turkey13
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:05pm

      Are these the drones that obama is going to use on the marchers on Wall Street? Saw where has ordered 14 to be fueled and ready.

      Report Post »  
    • docvet
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:39pm

      TURKEY13
      Naw, a bulldozer is reusable. But if the XB-47 is what it takes……!

      Report Post »  
    • qzak491
      Posted on November 10, 2011 at 12:07am

      MIKEV5

      Did you ever think that the reason for the delays is because it is so heavily used. If you don’t like the delays you can log off.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:20pm

    What was that movie… where the Machines began killing Humans… because the Processors allowed them to simulate Intelligence?

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:35pm

      This is coming to a neighborhood near you, you domestic terrorist who believes in freedom.

      FREEDOM IS DEAD, YOU TERRORIST!!!

      YOU DON’T LIKE IT? THEN GET OUT OF THE USA!!

      BECAUSE YOU’RE UNAMERICAN, UNPATRIOTIC, YOU DON’T SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, AND IT‘S BUSH’S FAULT!!!

      AND YOU’RE A LIBERAL EXTREMIST RON PAUL SUPPORTER FROM HUFFPO!!!

      GO BACK TO MEDIA MATTERS AND HUFFPO!!!!!

      GO BACK TO ALEX JONES AND GET PARANOID YOU CONSPIRACY THEORIST!!!!

      (sarcasm end)

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • Reload
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:55pm

      WTF is HUFFPO?

      Report Post » Reload  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:26pm

      Oh please this machins has as much brains as a pile of dirt its a DIRECTED machine when machins take over will be in maybe 200 years to much SCI FI for you.

      Report Post » Mikev5  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:29pm

      hahaha we got a newbie!

      “Huffpo” is an abbreviation of Huffington Post, a liberal site, used as a bludgeon against anyone who offers a differing opinion than some of the neocons posing as conservatives on this site.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • Reload
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:11pm

    That is a big *ss drone.

    Report Post » Reload  
  • garyM
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:09pm

    I‘m sure we’ll get the system perfected for weapons delivery before the caliphate is complete. They can sit in DC and take out those homes who have people in them that disagree with Islam!

    Report Post »  
  • SanDiegoCountyCitizen
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:09pm

    I would suggest this location for their first live test:

    Report Post » SanDiegoCountyCitizen  
  • Noonien_Soong
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:06pm

    This drone looks like the“Beast of Kandihar” flown over Pakistan.

    Report Post » Noonien_Soong  
  • MUSE_FENDERTAMA
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:57pm

    Great. Cool Tech.

    Another reason to bring the troops home.

    Report Post » MUSE_FENDERTAMA  
  • garclar
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:44pm

    It is really great news that we can now take our drones out to 3,000 miles, ride in on the target, blast away, with no aviators life at risk. It would be nice to have one of these patrolling our borders, with that kind of range you would not need a lot to get the job done. This could really put jihadists on the run knowing that a missile could be up your ass right after you plot a terrorist act. Hi tech like this is what we need……….

    Report Post »  
    • LadyLibertykicksASS
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:26pm

      Unfortunately, It‘s going to be just a matter of time and luck on the Bad Guy’s part before they have something similar……..think of the Terminator movie!!!! Scary times to be living !!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:59pm

      Drones are flown remotely by either pilots, aviators or skilled technicians. We are not yet at the “Terminator” stage.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:59pm

      How about 120 on the southern border and 150 on the northern border; run on eight hour shifts that is 40 and 50 respectively … (humans still fly them) and arm them with sonic cannons to incapacitate the suspects until living law enforcement arrives.
      might be cheaper than a UNION built fence.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:33pm

    Start with mecca as first target!!!

    Report Post » banjarmon  
    • GJPinks
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:53pm

      Holy Smoke!

      Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:01pm

      Maybe now we can bring home the troops from the 138 countries and put them on the border, where the real threat is……

      Report Post »  
    • Andy
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:20pm

      That‘s what I’m talking about

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:12pm

      DETROITBOY

      What is it you expect our troops to do on the border?

      The military is trained in war fighting which calls for different skills than law enforcement. Within the Rules of Engagement, the soldier kills while the law enforcement officer arrests.

      If we create free fire zones and/or mined strips, what type of country will we become. I suspect it will not be one grounded in the Constitution.

      I will pose a theoretical example that could face my son when he returns from his 3rd deployment. Can I imagine my son commanding his men to shoot women and children and/or routinely police up their bodies from a mine field? I don’t see him doing it. He understands the motto: Duty, Honor, Country.

      Here is a real life example. During Desert Storm a SF team in a hide were discovered by some children. The CWO in charge could have ordered the death of the children to protect the SF hide. He didn’t. This decision resulted in the team fighting off a large contingent of Iraqi troops.

      Finally, the Mai Lai Massacre would become a positive example for the American fighting man and woman. Do you want that?

      Maybe all it takes is following our existing laws and creating new ones ala Arizona.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • UrbanCombatSurvivor
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:38pm

      @Dismayed Vet

      The problem with your example is that they make far too many assumptions.

      1) You assume that illegals invading this country should be afforded the rights guaranteed by the constitution to the citizens of this country. They are foreign invaders, no citizens.

      2) You assume that there is a will in the Progressive Left OR Progressive Right to halt the influx of these invaders.

      3) You’re equating the armed, trained drug cartels with women and children.

      4) You are positing, without any proof or logical argument, that there would be some esoteric and mysterious negative effect on our Constitution if we defend our borders.

      Report Post »  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:31pm

    Hope they get enough funding so we don’t have to send men and women into harms way to get rid of the bad guys and girls. Sure looks like money well spent to me.

    Report Post »  
    • Nepenthe
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:41pm

      We don’t have to do that now, but I understand that the military industrial complex needs those high paying contracts.

      Report Post » Nepenthe  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:29pm

    With the extra range, I guess that means Obama can send more to China for usage against our own forces in the next war before he orders a total capitulation across the board.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:39pm

      Bill, you are just being mean. You kidder! LOL
      TEA

      Report Post » MONICNE  
  • Will4Freedom
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:29pm

    Why not just send our enemies the specs? Cheezzzeee! Can’t anybody keep a secret any more?

    Report Post »  
  • beebacksoon
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:26pm

    “China’s “carrier-killer” Dongfeng 21-D missile”
    Could this be the “plume” many witnessed off our coast a few months ago? Like any expert marksman, China has to practice, practice, practice and Americans have to be told lies by our govt that the plume was just emissions from a plan taking off.

    Report Post »  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:10pm

      The government lies all the time, but get a life. Contrails like that are in the sky every single day all over the country. I suppose chinese carrier killers are launching from the midwest and the great plains and the mississippi valley too huh?

      Report Post »  
    • bandannaman1776
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:04pm

      What ROWGUE means is chemtrails. Contrails are water vapor and dissipate rather quickly.

      Report Post » bandannaman1776  
    • Evil_Conservative
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:39pm

      No. the “carrier killers” are land to sea systems. The “anomaly” you refer to was probably a sub launched ICBM test by China. Denied by US and China for their own reasons. Was a message to Washington that we can hurt you good if we want.

      Report Post » Evil_Conservative  
    • SageInWaiting
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:57pm

      No… that plume was from a Chinese “city-killer” that our government doesn’t acknowledge off our coast.

      Report Post » SageInWaiting  
  • MONICNE
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:23pm

    God Bless the United States Navy – Hope all non-Drones have a wonderful Veteran’s Day 11-11-11, devoted to Vietnam Veterans of all uniformed services.

    Report Post » MONICNE  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:20pm

    3000 miles? Obama’s house is not that far away?!?

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
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