The Navy’s prototype drone warplane completed a successful maiden flight Monday with the aid of an engine and electrical system from two sister divisions of United Technologies Corp. in Hartford, authorities said.
The X-47B pilotless drone stayed aloft for 29 minutes at Edwards Air Force Base in the southern California desert with an engine from Pratt & Whitney Co. and an electrical system supplied by Hamilton Sundstrand, UTC officials said.
Pratt’s F100-PW-220U engine is a variation of one that for decades has powered the Air Force’s F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon jet fighters.
The Navy is developing its drone for takeoff and landing aboard an aircraft carrier in conjunction with defense contractor Northrop Grumman.
At-sea carrier trials for the aircraft are slated for 2013.
