Northrop Grumman’s X-47B naval unmanned combat demonstrator aircraft flies for the first time, completing a 29-minute mission at Edwards AFB, Calif. The UCAS-D program is designed to demonstrate that a tailless, fighter-sized aircraft can safely takeoff and land on a carrier deck.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.

