By AMANDA HARRISONStaff writer

Visitors and residents in the Drum Point area and around the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge may see what looks to be a UFO flying overhead beginning in late July.

The Patuxent River Naval Air Station will be flying its new X-47B in the area, which resembles what would be considered a UFO by Hollywood and popular culture standards.

During Tuesday’s Calvert County Board of County Commissioners meeting, Capt. Jaime Engdahl of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station made a presentation to the commissioners about the new tailless, unmanned aircraft.

Engdahl assured the commissioners that the X-47B will stay over the water during flights, which may take place at any time — but not at night — over the southern parts of the Chesapeake Bay and other restricted areas.

“It’s very exciting stuff,” said Commissioner Susan Shaw (R), “and it’s going to look like UFOs will be flying over the bay.”

The X-47B is a part of the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration program.

Engdahl explained that the hope is for the aircraft to demonstrate the first carrier-based launches and recoveries by autonomous, low-observable-relevant unmanned aircraft.

aharrison@somdnews.com