First flight of Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Aerial System, originally scheduled for the end of this year, has been delayed until the first quarter of 2010 following reported propulsion acoustic and engine-start sequencing issues.
The aircraft is now not due to commence low speed taxi tests until late December before building up to first flight early in 2011 and sea trials in 2012.
The stealthy, B-2-like X-47B is about the size of an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and will have a combat radius of more than 1500km.
