It can also fly at 65,000 feet at approximately 150 knots and carry up to a 450-pound payload, thanks to a 150-foot wingspan and two 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engines that give it 300 horsepower -- 150 from each engine.
But the Boeing Phantom Eye isn’t just breaking ground from a defense perspective; it’s also a very “green” aircraft. With a liquid-hydrogen propulsion system, it has excellent fuel economy. And its only by-product is water.
The company says the altitude and endurance are clear advantages for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
"This day ushers in a new era ... where an unmanned aircraft will remain on station for days at a time providing critical information and services," said Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works.
In April, a number of taxi tests were conducted to validate ground guidance, navigation and control, mission planning, pilot interface and operational procedures. On its first medium-speed taxi test in March, the Phantom Eye reached speeds of 30 knots.
On this inaugural, Phantom Eye took off at 6:22 a.m. PST for a 28-minute fledgling flight from its launch cart. The UAV climbed to an altitude of 4,080 feet and reached a cruising speed of 62 knots. It took on some damage when the landing gear broke digging into the lakebed after touchdown, however.
Having demonstrated handling and maneuverability, Boeing’s next test flight will involve flying Phantom Eye at a higher altitude.
This drone is the latest in a series of Boeing-funded rapid prototyping programs, which include Phantom Ray -- Phantom Eye’s big brother, which is arguably even more ambitious.
Fighter-jet sized, the Phantom Ray will be able to stay aloft for a whopping ten days and will be able to carry a payload of more than 2,000 pounds.
Big brother’s big first flight was April 27, 2011. On its second flight May 9, Phantom Ray reached an altitude of 7,500 feet and a speed of 178 knots. It had a clean landing after executing several maneuvers demonstrating basic air-worthiness and autonomy.
