Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator program

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The United States Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) program consists of

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator launches from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) May 14, 2013. An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator launches from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) May 14, 2013, in the Atlantic Ocean 130514-N-UZ648-182.jpg
The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator launches from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) May 14, 2013.

The UCAS-D program was to demonstrate the feasibility of operating an unmanned vehicle on an aircraft carrier. Technology and operational procedures gained from the program and X-47B demonstrator were used to develop an operational unmanned carrier aircraft through the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program. After debate over whether the UCLASS should primarily focus on stealthy bombing or scouting, the Pentagon instead changed the entire program into the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) program. [1] This new program intended to create an UAV for aerial refueling duties to extend the range of manned fighters. [2]

MQ-25 Stingray during testing MQ-25 refuels F-35C (cropped).jpg
MQ-25 Stingray during testing

This new project lead to the development of the aerial refueling drone, the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray.



See also

References

  1. ↑ UCAS-D set to make historic aircraft carrier landing - Flightglobal.com, 10 July 2013
  2. ↑ Jr, Sydney J. Freedberg (2016-02-01). "Good-Bye, UCLASS; Hello, Unmanned Tanker, More F-35Cs In 2017 Budget". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
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