Six F-22 Raptor fighter jets trailing three tankers over the Mediterranean Sea_Captured by A Photographer

Stealth planes might be invisible to radars but they can do nothing against human eye. This is what the following images prove.

Taken by Gian Luca Onnis, a (lucky) photographer and aviation enthusiast, on Jan. 25, the photographs show a flight of six F-22 Raptors trailing two KC-135 and a KC-10 tankers overflying Sardinia island, Italy, on their way back to the U.S..

The radar evading planes, returning to Holloman, New Mexico, from a deployment in South East Asia, were clearly visible because of the long white contrails they left over the Mediterranean Sea.

The six F-22 Raptors had deployed to Al Dhafra in the UAE via Moron, Spain, on Apr. 20, 2012. Whereas the six stealthy planes of the 49th Fighter Wing returned to the CONUS (Continental U.S.) six F-22 belonging to the 3rd Fighter Wing, were flying in the opposite direction (via Lajes, Azores) to replace them in the Persian Gulf area.

Noteworthy, unlike the Holloman’s F-22As the 3rd FW’s Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Alaska, are Block 3.1 planes capable to find and engage ground targets using the Synthetic Aperture Radar mapping and drop up to eight GBU-39 SDBs (Small Diameter Bombs) in the air-to-surface role.

How the “Black Jet” became the “Gray Dragon”: the story of the only gray F-117 stealth plane

The Lockheed F-117A was not only the world’s first operational stealth aircraft, but also one of the most secret plane ever developed. Conceived for night secret missions, the “Nighthawk” was restricted to fly only with darkness. In fact, in each operation from “Just Cause” in 1989 to “Iraqi Freedom” in 2003, the F-117s only flew after sunset. Even if one example was lost in 1999 near Belgrade during “Operation Allied Force“, the F-117A unique design, which consisted in blending different angles, made the aircraft very hard to detect by the air defense systems.

But, low observability to radar alone was not sufficient to guarantee the plane to fly undetected through the enemy airspaces. During the development of the F-117, the Skunk Works (the Lockheed legendary division that designed secret aircraft) found that to evade visual detection the best solution was a paint scheme in different shades of gray.

But since the F-117 had to fly only night missions, the U.S. Air Force stated that the Nighthawks had to be painted in black. However, in 2003 one example of the F-117A was painted in gray with the task to determine if the aircraft could play a role in daytime missions. This Nighthawk was nicknamed “The Dragon” and the operational testing on the type was accomplished at Holloman AFB (Air Force Base), New Mexico, by the 53^rd Test and Evaluation Detachment 1 (Det 1). Flying two missions every day Det 1 pilots were able to determine their daytime capabilities and limitations.

The new kind of coat proved immediately that the “classic” black paint scheme wouldn’t be good during daylight operations. During the tests “The Dragon” was also upgraded with new software and hardware; furthermore the new paints were evaluated by measuring the impact that the gray had on the maintenance. All these trials were necessary to provide an accurate evaluation of the daytime operations with the gray paint scheme, to ensure a 24-hour stealth presence above the future battlefields.

However, despite the good results of the trials, “The Dragon” would have been the only F-117 painted in gray: in fact, in 2005 when the USAF had to take a decision about repainting in gray the entire fleet , it was decided to retire all the Nighthawks.

The gray F-117 made its last flight on Mar. 12, 2007 at Holloman AFB.

Image credit: U.S. Air Force

B-2 stealth bombers conduct “extended deterrence” round trip mission from the U.S. to S. Korea

B-2 stealth bombers of the U.S. Air Force from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri have conducted a long-duration, round trip (training) mission to the Republic of Korea on Mar. 28.

The new “extended deterrence” mission is just the last “show of force” by the United States whose aim was to show its commitment and its capability to defend South Korea and allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

B-2-Russell-Hill

However, unlike previous sorties that were launched by B-52 Stratofortress bombers based at Guam (strategically located 1,800 miles (about 2,900 km) to the east of China), the last mission was conducted by stealth bombers assigned to 509th Bomb Wing that took off from the Continental U.S., flew for more than 6,500 miles to drop inert bombs on the Jik Do Range and returned home in a single, continuos mission like those flown during Allied Force in Serbia or Odyssey Dawn in Libya.

By the way, the B-2 is the only platform capable to deliver the Massive Ordnance Penetrator 30,000lb bomb.

Although the mission was tasked within Ex. Foal Eagle it represents a significant answer to the recent Pyongyang threats. On Mar. 26, 2013 North Korea announced it has ordered artillery and rocket units into “combat posture” to prepare to target US bases in Hawaii, Guam and the US mainland.

Photos of Launching of X-47 B from USS George H W Bush

Top Gun in the 21st century: New U.S. stealth drones launched from aircraft carrier by REMOTE CONTROL

• The Northrop Grumman X-47B is the first drone designed to take off and land from an aircraft carrier

• That means it can be deployed across the world without the need for foreign airfields to operate

• It is also the first drone able to fly itself using AI, sparking fears its human controllers could lose control of it

By Damien Gayle

PUBLISHED: 21:36 GMT, 14 May 2013 | UPDATED: 10:57 GMT, 15 May 2013


The U.S. Navy launched an unmanned, autonomous aircraft the size of a fighter jet from a warship for the first time today, a development that could herald the end of Top Gun-style piloted air combat missions.

The X-47B drone is the first designed to operate an aircraft carrier, which allows it to be used around the world without needing permission to take off from airfields in other countries.

But there are concerns about the legality of what has been dubbed America's 'covert drone war'. Strikes cause widespread civilian deaths and operate with only limited oversight, critics say.



Controllers: Northrop Grumman test pilots, Dave Lorenz, centre, and Bruce McFadden, left, prepare to launch the new X-47B off the nuclear aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush off the coast of Virginia this morning. They issue orders to the autonomous drone using their forearm-mounted Control Display Units seen in this picture



Ready to go: Flight crews give the X-47B's controllers a signal to launch. The drone is the first to operate from an aircraft carrier, which allows it to be deployed around the world with no need for permission to use airfields in other countries - increasingly difficult given the condemnation of the U.S. governments use of drone strikes








Lift off: The drone takes off from the end of the George H.W. Bush's flight deck. The X-47B is able to operate totally using artificial intelligence in its on-board computers which merely need to be set objectives by the drone's human operators. Critics have warned the technology is a step towards the development of 'killer robots'



Mr Lorenz, Northrop Grumman's deck operator, drives an X-47B using his arm-mounted controller. It is fully autonomous in flight, relying on computer programs to tell it where it to go unless a mission operator needs to step in


Top gun! Futuristic new drone has first launch from US carrier


Aside from its ability to operate from aircraft carriers, another big difference between the X-47B and previous drones is that it does not need to be piloted by remote control.


Instead, it is controlled by a forearm-mounted box called the Control Display Unit which sends orders to an on-board computer which is able to use artificial intelligence to think for itself, plotting course corrections and charting new directions.

The unmanned drone will be set an objective by a human operator, for example a target to look at or bomb, and then it will navigate its way there using technology such as GPS, autopilot and collision avoidance sensors.

Critics have warned the introduction of such AI into military weapons systems is a step towards the development of autonomous 'killer robots'. Navy officials say the drone will give them around-the-clock intelligence, surveillance and targeting capabilities.



Success: The prototype X-47B took off successfully this morning and made two low approaches to the ship before heading back toward land





Prototype: The test aircraft isn't intended for operational use; instead, the military is using the information it gathers to develop the drone program

The prototype X-47B took off successfully this morning from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush in the Atlantic Ocean off Virginia and made two low approaches to the ship before heading back toward land.

The test aircraft, which has been designed and built by the weapons maker Northrop Grumman, isn't intended for operational use; instead, the military is using the information it gathers during these demonstrations to develop the drone program.

The Navy already operates two other unmanned aircraft: the small, low cost ScanEagle, which does not carry weapons; and the Fire Scout, which is armed but built more like a helicopter.



Awesome: Reporters wearing U.S. Navy-issued protective gear peer up as the X-47B makes a pass over the deck of the George H. W. Bush in the clear morning skies





Advanced: The X-47B can reach an altitude of more than 40,000ft, has a range of more than 2,100 nautical miles and can reach high subsonic speeds, claims the navy


Both the military and the CIA use armed Predator and Reaper drones in surveillance and strike operations around the world. But while the military uses them routinely alongside troops in Afghanistan and other warzones, the spy agency has conducted frequent strikes in countries in which the U.S. is not officially at war.

Over the past 11 years in Yemen, 333 people have been reported killed, including 47 civilians, among them two children, in confirmed U.S. drone strikes, according to figures collated by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.


A suspected 96 further drone attacks in the Middle East country have killed as many as 445, including 50 civilians and ten children.


In Somalia over the past six years, as many as 27 have been reported killed by drones, with up to 15 of those reported as being civilian bystanders.

And in the border regions of Pakistan, where the U.S. has carried out the most covert drone strikes, as many as 3,533 people, including 884 civilians (197 of whom were children), have been reported killed by CIA drone strikes over the past nine years - triggering sharp criticism from the government there.


Although the drone attacks were started under the Bush administration in 2004, they have been stepped up enormously under President Obama. Obama's top counter-terrorism adviser, John Brennan, has argued the U.S. has the right to unilaterally strike terrorists anywhere in the world.


'Because we are engaged in an armed conflict with al- Qaeda, the United States takes the legal position that, in accordance with international law, we have the authority to take action against al-Qaeda and its associated forces,' he told a conference at Harvard Law School last year.


'The United States does not view our authority to use military force against al-Qaeda as being restricted solely to "hot" battlefields like Afghanistan.'



Rise of the machines: Critics like the pressure group Human Rights Watch have warned the introduction of AI into military weapons systems is a step towards the development of autonomous 'killer robots'. Navy officials say the drone will give them around-the-clock intelligence, surveillance and targeting capabilities





Human Rights Watch has called for a pre-emptive ban on the development and use of any unmanned systems that carry weapons and are able to select and engage targets with no human intervention. There are increasing fears that human scientists could one day lose control of computer-based artificial intelligence systems


The X-47B can reach an altitude of more than 40,000ft, has a range of more than 2,100 nautical miles and can reach high subsonic speeds, according to the navy.

It is fully autonomous in flight, relying on computer programs to tell it where it to go unless a mission operator needs to step in. That differs from other drones used by the military, which are more often piloted from remote locations.

'For us, the question is where do you draw line? We're saying you need to draw the line when you have a fully autonomous system that is weaponised. We're saying you must have meaningful human control over key battlefield decisions of who lives and who dies. That should not be left up to the weapons system itself.'

Steve Goose, director of the arms division at Human Rights Watch

It is not yet clear whether the drone will be able to open fire without explicit authorisation from its controller. The Pentagon last November vowed that no robot weapon would be able to decide when to attack humans.

That promise came as Human Rights Watch issued a warning that autonomous 'killer robots' could find their way onto battlefields within 20 years, or even sooner.


The group has called for a pre-emptive ban on the development and use of any unmanned systems that carry weapons and are able to select and engage targets with no human intervention.

That possibility is particularly alarming in light of increasing fears that human scientists could one day lose control of computer-based artificial intelligence systems. Cambridge University has even opened a centre where leading academics will study the existential threat that out-of-control robots could potentially pose to humanity.

Today's tests show the trend toward greater autonomy 'is not one that is going to be stopped,' said Steve Goose, director of the arms division at Human Rights Watch.

'For us, the question is where do you draw line? We're saying you need to draw the line when you have a fully autonomous system that is weaponised,' he said.

'We're saying you must have meaningful human control over key battlefield decisions of who lives and who dies. That should not be left up to the weapons system itself.'



An X-47B drone taxis in front of an F/A18 fighter plane as it is prepared for take off: The aircraft is as yet not equipped with military hardware, but is designed for ample space to accommodate bombs and surveillance equipment. Eliminating the need for life-support equipment frees up the room for two 2,000lb bomb bays






Space saver: The X-47B has a wingspan of more than 62 feet - wider than that of an F/A-18 Super Hornet - so they must be folded up to conserve space at sea






Sailors move the X-47B into position on the George H. W. Bush's flight deck prior to its test flight today: Before the drones can become commonplace the military has to prove they can operate in the harsh conditions aboard a sea-borne aircraft carrier. The aircraft used a steam catapult to launch, just like a traditional Navy war plane


The aircraft is as yet not equipped with military hardware, but is designed for ample space to accommodate bombs and surveillance equipment. Not having a pilot eliminated the need for much of the life support equipment and other essentials that humans need to survive at high altitudes, giving it the space for up to two 2,000lb bombs.

Before the drones can become commonplace, however, the military has to prove they can operate in the harsh conditions aboard an aircraft carrier at sea.

The aircraft used a steam catapult to launch, just like a traditional Navy warplane does.

While the tailless plane has not yet landed on the aircraft carrier, the Navy plans to conduct those tests soon. Landing on a moving aircraft carrier is considered one of the most difficult challenges Navy pilots face.



An X-47B is lifted on an aircraft elevator to the carrier's deck: While the tailless plane has not yet landed on the aircraft carrier, the Navy plans to conduct those tests soon. Landing on a moving aircraft carrier is considered one of the most difficult challenges Navy pilots face





Nearly there: Earlier this month, the Navy successfully conducted a landing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland where the X-47B used a tailhook on the aircraft to catch a cable and suddenly stop, just as planes landing on carriers have to do




'These are exciting times for the Navy as we are truly doing something that has never been done before - something I never imagined could be done during my 29-year naval career,' said Rear Admiral Mat Winter, the Navy's program executive officer for unmanned aviation and strike weapons, in blog post published yesterday.

Following the test launch, the plane made a series of approaches toward the aircraft carrier before landing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.

Earlier this month, the Navy successfully conducted a landing at that air station where the X-47B used a tailhook on the aircraft to catch a cable and suddenly stop, just as planes landing on carriers have to do.

In the 2014 fiscal year, the Navy plans to demonstrate that the X-47B can be refuelled in flight.


The program cost is $1.4billion over eight years. A planned variant of the craft, the X-47C will have a larger payload provision of 10,000lbs and a wingspan of 172ft.

DEATH FROM ABOVE: THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE U.S. NAVY'S LATEST STEALTH DRONE


Design: Tailless, cranked-kite
Wingspan: 62ft
Length: 32ft
Max Altitude: >40,000ft
Speed: High subsonic
Max Unrefuelled Range: >2,100 nautical miles
Max Unrefuelled Flight Time: >6 hours
Take-off Weight: 44,000lbs
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U]
Twin Weapons Bays: 4,500lbs payload