(New) UAV could spend up to 10 days over its target

[unhappycamper]

Phantom Eye will eventually be able to fly for 10 days.


UAV could spend up to 10 days over its target
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Aug 1, 2010 11:22:25 EDT

The newest model unmanned aerial vehicle made by Boeing Co. has a wingspan as long as a C-130, can carry both intelligence sensors and weapons, and is powered by a hydrogen engine that keeps it flying for up to 10 days.

The propeller-driven Phantom Eye is headed to the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for ground tests in September before a test flight in early 2011, said Drew Mallow, the Boeing official overseeing development of the aircraft. The aircraft should be ready to fly by 2013.

Like the Air Force’s RQ-4 Global Hawk, Phantom Eye can collect intelligence from 65,000 feet, but its loiter time over a target could be four to 10 times longer. It is slower, though, and will hold a smaller payload.

Despite what its name suggests, Phantom Eye is not a stealthy aircraft.

“I think you’d like (the) benefit if you could, but with a propeller-driven plane, it’s tough to make it a stealthy vehicle,” Mallow said.



unhappycamper comment: I wonder how much these will cost.

[msongs]

1. seems like that makes it easier to shoot down....so boeing can sell us more nt

[seattleblue]

3. At 65,000 feet it can't be seen.

Also the people it would be hovering over don't have any military capability to shoot down aircraft.

[raouldukelives]

2. Considering that we are deficit spending for these

I'd say we'll have them paid off in about, oh, never.