Hamilton Sundstrand helps enable successful first flight of U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman X-47B

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation's systems contributed to Friday's successful first flight of the U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman X-47B flight test aircraft for the U.S. Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier - Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The successful flight took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

The Hamilton Sundstrand equipment on the X-47B includes electric power system components, the airframe-mounted accessory drive and electronic engine controls and accessories.

"We are extremely proud of our role on the first flight of the X-47B," said Dennis Klapperich, Hamilton Sundstrand's director for military and UAV programs. "Hamilton Sundstrand congratulates the U.S. Navy and the entire Northrop Grumman team on achieving this significant milestone"

The X-47B is a strike fighter-sized aircraft that will perform the first-ever carrier launch and recovery of an unmanned, tailless vehicle. Additional flight testing of the X-47B and certification for carrier operations will be conducted in preparation for at-sea carrier trials planned in 2013.