The Northrop Grumman/U.S. Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program's X-47B achieved successful first flight at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Feb. 4. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) congratulates the U.S. Navy and the Northrop Grumman-led (NYSE: NOC) industry team on accomplishing this significant program milestone.

Born from the former Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) program, the X-47B is the Navy's chosen air vehicle for demonstrating and validating that a tailless fighter-sized unmanned aircraft system can operate safely to/from aircraft carriers.

Lockheed Martin brings its expertise and experience in all aspects of low observable design and air vehicle survivability to bear in the design and manufacture of X-47B's aerodynamic edges, inlet lip and control surfaces, as well as the development of an all new arresting hook system.

"At Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, we are proud to have contributed to this historic event through our principal role on Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D team," said Al Romig, vice president of Advanced Development Programs for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "We continue to capitalize on new technologies and increasingly cost-efficient methods of manufacturing to benefit new systems such as this one."

Lockheed Martin completed delivery of its UCAS-D hardware in December 2009 and supported aircraft build, proof test and other activities in preparation for this successful first flight. Lockheed Martin will continue to support further UCAS-D flight testing, as well as carrier flight operations.