How Robot Planes Will Land on Aircraft Carriers

The U.S. Navy's robotic aircraft will operate autonomously, but they will still require people onboard to land. Here's how those human officers will help UAVs land safely on the limited real estate of an aircraft carrier.

Navy robotic aircraft will operate autonomously, but they will still require people onboard to land. "Carrier naval aviation is extremely safe for the level of risk," says retired Rear Adm. Craig Steidle, the former head of the Joint Strike Fighter and F/A-18 programs. "The Navy is slow to evolve, which is fortunate because we have a very safe and effective system."

1. At 50 nautical miles (nm) the unmanned aerial vehicle enters carrier-controlled airspace and uploads its location and fuel status to the carrier. Personnel in the Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) decide the landing order of the waiting planes based on fuel levels.

2. The UAV doesn't break its holding pattern until the CATCC gives permission. It will approach and land autonomously using a ship-relative GPS-based landing system.

3. From a perch in Primary Flight Control in the carrier's island, the air officer (or air boss) maintains visual control of all aircraft operating within 5 nm.

4. The final approach is monitored by the landing signal officer. In an emergency, the LSO can "wave off" the craft with a digital command from a handheld device. If waved off, the UAV adds power and climbs to 600 feet to wait for instruction.

5. Once the unmanned aircraft lands, deck handlers guide it with commands from a hand controller.

Are Robots the Future of Naval Aviation? >>>

Whether it succeeds or fails, the X-47B will earn a unique place in aviation history. It either will be the first strike UAV to operate from a carrier deck or, by failing, will push the momentum back to manned Navy warplanes.

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