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What was the first unmanned aircraft to be catapulted from an aircraft carrier?

Question #148426. Asked by serpa.
Last updated May 07 2021.
Originally posted Apr 30 2021 12:21 AM.

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C30 star
Answer has 7 votes
Currently Best Answer
C30 star
15 year member
91 replies avatar

Answer has 7 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
The U.S. Navy's X-47B drone has become the first unmanned craft to complete a catapult launch from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Today's demonstration took place on the USS George H.W. Bush, off the coast of Virginia. 14 May 2013

Navy's X-47B drone completes first carrier takeoff - NBC News
link https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/navys-x-47b-drone-completes-first-carrier-takeoff-flna1c9922371



Response last updated by gtho4 on May 07 2021.
Apr 30 2021, 1:37 AM
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C30 star
Answer has 2 votes
C30 star
15 year member
91 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.
There is no refererence for what follows, merely memories of something witnessed....................ships (not necessarily Aircraft Carriers), operated drones as far back as 1950's..........the early ones were like overgrown model aircraft, and were handled by an operator on one of the ships. Called PTA's (Pilotless Target Aircraft), these were used as Anti-Aircraft targets during exercises, being able to fly at around 150-200 knots (I think). Being quite expensive things, the object was not to actually HIT them, but with deflection applied, live shoots could be conducted. When the PTA ran out of fuel, it spashed down and could be recovered for future use................in theory!

I believe modern PTA drones exist as full sized aircraft.


Apr 30 2021, 1:49 AM
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looney_tunes star
Answer has 4 votes
looney_tunes star
Moderator
18 year member
3287 replies avatar

Answer has 4 votes.
The link in the first question isn't working for me, so here is another link for those who are interested - with video.

link https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-22542663

Apr 30 2021, 4:52 AM
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