GE Aviation Delivers First X-47B Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Landing Gear

GE Aviation recently delivered the first fully-dressed landing gear to Northrop Grumman Corporation in support of the X-47B Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program.

"This delivery is a major step in supporting the Navy UCAS-D program as Northrop Grumman prepares for first flight later this year,” commented Sagar Patel, president of GE Aviation’s Mechanical Systems business. “We are proud of our landing gear team’s performance in achieving this key milestone.

"This program is a critical first step to provide the US Navy with insight into how an autonomous aircraft might be integrated into future carrier operations. Performing the first-ever carrier launches and recoveries of an unmanned tailless aircraft of this size will be a historic accomplishment.”

The delivery includes production fully-dressed landing gear that is designed to meet and/or exceed all US Navy carrier landing requirements for a fully loaded UCAS-D aircraft.

The X-47B UCAS landing gear system is designed to endure the challenges and rigors of catapult take-offs and arrested landings on US Navy aircraft carriers at sea. GE is responsible for the design, development, qualification and manufacturing of the fully integrated landing gear system. Due to the demanding mission profiles required for this advanced carrier platform, the landing gear system incorporates the latest technology advancements in steering control from Parker Hannifin as well as anti-skid braking systems from Goodrich Corporation. GE Aviation’s combined systems make it the largest non-partner equipment supplier to the X-47B.

John Hahn, site leader for GE Aviation said, “We’ve had outstanding support from Northrop Grumman. Their involvement, along with the combined expertise of GE Aviation teams from Santa Ana and Duarte, CA, Cincinnati, OH and Yakima, WA contributed to the successful execution of this program. We have a genuine team effort within GE and with our customer."