By lex, on July 13th, 2009
lt seems that the Navy’s X-47B is due to go wheels up for the first time in the fall of 2009,* trapping aboard an aircraft carrier in 2011. When it does so, it’ll be using a re-purposed F-14 tailhook:
The X-47B is a unique aircraft, but it won’t be totally unfamiliar to some experienced sailors.
The X-47B is designed and built with the same hook used on the now-retired F-14 Tomcat jets, Beard said, and it borrows other elements of the Navy’s manned-jet heritage, with S-3 tires, F/A-18 tires and brakes and F-22 generators.
So, Tomcats forever! And all that.
* 09-08-2018 Link Gone; no replacements found – Ed.
