Navy UCAS Team Makes Aviation History with Ship-Based Launch and Landing of X-47B; Eaton a Key System Supplier for Unmanned Aircraft Demonstrator

Date: July 15, 2013

IRVINE, California … Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy have achieved two significant milestones this year in the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator program. On May 14, the X-47B was successfully catapulted from the deck of the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), and on July 10, the aircraft completed the first carrier-based arrested landing on the same ship. Eaton is a key system supplier to Northrop Grumman, the Navy’s UCAS prime contractor.

Eaton contributions to the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System include the X-47B fuel system and fuel ducts, engine-driven hydraulic pump, reservoir, selector valve, pressure regulator relief valve, landing gear control valve, engine throttle actuator, Rynglok™ tube-fitting technology, hoses, swivels and hydraulic couplings.

“We congratulate Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy on successfully completing the first ship-based catapult launch and arrested landing of an unmanned aircraft," said Jay Iyengar, vice president of engineering and technology for Eaton’s Aerospace Group. “We're proud to be a part of the X-47B development team in the achievement of these exciting milestones in naval aviation history."

In the aerospace industry, Eaton is a leading supplier of hydraulic, electro-hydraulic pump and generator products and integrated systems; engine and airframe fuel pumps; electric motors; aircraft door actuation, flight and flow controls; fluid, fuel and air delivery products and systems; nose wheel steering systems; integrated control systems; cockpit controls and displays; power and load management systems; pressure sensors, seals, and fluid health monitoring products and systems. Eaton serves commercial and military aviation, aerospace, military weapons, marine and off-road markets worldwide.

Eaton is a diversified power management company providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power. A global technology leader, Eaton acquired Cooper Industries plc in November 2012. The 2012 revenue of the combined companies was $21.8 billion on a pro forma basis. Eaton has approximately 103,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com


John Ganzerla

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