Jet-sized drone launched from Navy carrier

An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator sits on an aircraft elevator of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, May 6, 2013.

On May 14, 2013 the George H.W. Bush was the first aircraft carrier to launch an unmanned aircraft from its flight deck.

Read more:Navy launches jet-sized drone from aircraft carrier for first time

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) is launched from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, May 14, 2013.

Dave Lorenz, a Northrop Grumman deck operator, drives an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator using an arm-mounted controller on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, May 10, 2013.

A Navy X-47B drone is seen flying after it was launched off the coast of Virginia, May 14, 2013. The aircraft isn't intended for operational use, but it will be used to help develop other unmanned, carrier-based aircraft.

An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System is launched from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, May 14, 2013.

A Navy X-47B drone is seen flying after it was launched from the USS George H. W. Bush, off the coast of Virginia, May 14, 2013.

An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator is loaded onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, May 6, 2013 in Norfolk, Va.

Sailors move an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) at dawn aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, May 14, 2013.

Sailors and guests watch as a Navy X-47B drone is launched off the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush off the coast of Virginia, May 14, 2013.

Sailors move an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator onto an aircraft elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, May 14, 2013.

An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System is launched from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, May 14, 2013.

An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator is towed into the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, May 13, 2013.