Autonomous X-47B Jet Fighter Makes Historic First Launch From An Aircraft Carrier

As PopSci cheers from the carrier deck ABOARD THE USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, ATLANTIC OCEAN--All that was left on the carrier deck was a cloud of white steam wafting over a flight crew that was visibly bursting with excitement even with faces concealed behind bulky protective headgear, noise suppressing headsets, and darkly tinted goggles. Much of this whooping, backslapping, and enthusiastic embracing took place square in the middle of the flight deck where the Navy's experimental X-47B unmanned, au...