Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus

Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)

United States | 2003

"The Northrop Grumman X-47A UCAV was designed with combat capabilities from the start."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C turbofan engine developing 3,200lb of thrust.
Propulsion

1,740 miles
2,800 km | 1,512 nm
Operational Range

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

0
(UNMANNED)
Crew

27.9 ft
8.50 m
O/A Length

27.9 ft
(8.50 m)
O/A Width

6.2 ft
(1.90 m)
O/A Height

3,836 lb
(1,740 kg)
Empty Weight

4,850 lb
(2,200 kg)
MTOW

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) .

None - this is a proof of concept technology demonstrator.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus family line.

X-47A - Initial land-based technology demonstrator UCAV.

X-47B - Navalized X-47A technology demonstrator for possible procurement by US Navy for carrier-based operations.

X-47C - Englarged X-47A with increased weapons load.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/17/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The X-47A "Pegasus" stealthy technology demonstrator Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) began as a private venture by defense powerhouse Northrop Grumman. The aircraft was originally a participant in the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) program which also included the competing Boeing X-45 demonstrator. The J-UCAS program existed until terminated in 2006. From this work was born the UCAS-D program of the United States Navy (USN), reintroducing the X-47A Pegasus as a spring-board product to the more advanced X-47B carrier-based UCAV.

Design work on the aircraft began after a Navy contract was secured in 2001. Northrop engineers elected for a tailless, diamond-shaped planform lacking vertical surfaces of any kind. The fuselage was blended into the main wing units which sported 55-degree sweep. The engine was buried in a bulge at center with a sliver intake opening above the nose of the aircraft to aspirate the single engine installation. This became a Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C turbofan engine of 3,190lbs thrust. The X-47A - as it was designated - was given a fully-working, fully-retractable wheeled tricycle undercarriage. An internal bomb bay was integrated into the design but never utilized during testing. Construction included use of composites. The X-47A recorded its first flight on February 23rd, 2003 at China Lake in California.

Dimensions included length of 27.9 feet, a wingspan 27.8 feet and a height of 6 feet. Empty listed weight was 3,835lb with a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 5,900lbs. Known performance specifications included a service ceiling above 40,000 feet and a range in excess of 2,780 kilometers.

No longer in active testing, the X-47A was given up by the USN in favor of the promising X-47B whose program has since completed several well-publicized milestones including launching from, and landing on, a carrier deck (USS George H.W. Bush CVN-77).

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 1 Units
Contractor(s): Northrop Grumman - USA

[ United States ]

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Image of the Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus

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