X-47B First Land-Based Catapult Launch

Credit: U.S. Navy/Naval Air Systems Command/NAVAIR NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator successfully completed its inaugural land-based catapult launch here Nov. 29, marking the start of a new era for naval aviation. “Carrier-based unmanned aircraft will change the concept of operations for the carrier-controlled airspace,“ said Rear Adm. Mat Winter, the program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. “The N-