Originally Posted by
Grumble
I'm still confused a bit
Unlike Air Force and CIA drones, which are remotely piloted, the Navy drones fly autonomously with the planes’ robot brain making the split second calculations necessary to conduct an arrested landing on the deck of a moving ship.
“We didn’t have someone … with a stick and throttle and rudder to fly this thing,” said Rear Adm. Mat Winter, the program manager. “We have automated routines and algorithms.”
Adm. Winter stressed that despite the fact that the drone flies itself, humans remain “in the loop” and contractors from Northrop Grumman, which built the plane, remain in control of the X-47B at all time
So......there is a guy sitting somewhere with his finger on the 'WAVE OFF' button just posed and ready for that Seamn to step across the foul line?
Is there an LSO waving 'Salty Dog 502'?
In rough seas - if it is decided that no LSO is required - who is timing the arrivals and how is it automnously decided where the wave-window is set?
The weather and sea state looked really good for that demonstration
Probably more restrictive than even the SNAs are allowed!
Having it air-to-air refuel in a basket and drogue style will be interesting too.