Boeing’s new Phantom Ray aircraft made a covert first flight final week, taking to the skies above California’s Edwards Air Force Base. The unmanned airborne system (UAS) reached 7,500 toes, hitting a maximum speed of 178 knots and flying for a complete of 17 minutes — positive, it won’t outlast the Phantom Eye anytime soon, however hey, we have all gotta begin somewhere. What the 36-foot lengthy vehicle lacks in relative endurance, it makes up stealth, designed to be undetectable on radar, and because of a deeply embedded engine, giving off a minimal quantity of heat. Boeing shall be operating additional assessments on the autonomous car in the coming weeks, in try to prep it for possible future surveillance and attack missions. No phrase on when this might actually be hitting an airspace close to you, however within the meantime, it is most likely finest to refrain from ticking off any deep pocketed governments.
Unmanned airborne system reaches 7,500 toes, 178 knots
ST. LOUIS, May 3, 2011 — The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Phantom Ray unmanned airborne system (UAS) successfully completed its first flight April 27 at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
The 17-minute flight happened following a collection of high-speed taxi assessments in March that validated floor steerage, navigation and control and verified mission planning, pilot interface and operational procedures. Phantom Ray flew to 7,500 ft and reached a velocity of 178 knots.
“This present day has been two-and-a-half years within the making,” stated Darryl Davis, president, Boeing Phantom Works. “It’s the start of offering our clients with a test mattress to develop future unmanned programs know-how, and a testament to the capabilities resident inside Boeing. Just as comply with-on tests will increase Phantom Ray’s flight envelope, in addition they will help Boeing broaden its presence in the unmanned techniques market.”
The flight demonstrated Phantom Ray’s fundamental airworthiness, setting the stage for added flights in the following few weeks. These firm-funded flights will prepare Phantom Ray to assist potential missions which will embody intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; suppression of enemy air defenses; digital assault; strike; and autonomous air refueling.
“The first flight moves us farther into the following section of unmanned aircraft,” said Craig Brown, Phantom Ray program manager for Boeing. “Autonomous, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft are actual, and the UAS bar has been raised. Now I’m wanting to see how excessive that bar will go.”
Phantom Ray is one in every of several applications in Phantom Works, including Phantom Eye, that’s part of a rapid prototyping initiative to design, develop and build advanced aircraft after which demonstrate their capabilities. If you’re ready to see more info about rapid prototype solution look at the web site. Boeing’s portfolio of UAS solutions also includes the A160T Hummingbird, Integrator, ScanEagle and rapid prototyping prototype SolarEagle.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, area and security companies specializing in revolutionary and capabilities-pushed buyer options, and the world’s largest and most versatile producer of army aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion enterprise with 66,000 employees worldwide.