Boeing's Phantom Eye Ready for First Flight

Completes taxi tests April 21.

Boeing's Phantom Eye concluded taxi testing, including a high speed test, April 21 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., achieving all required test points in its preparation for first flight. The operation was conducted by Boeing Phantom Works in coordination with the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. The data obtained in all of the tests will now be applied to readying Phantom Eye for its first autonomous flight later this year.

The following was originally posted March 12 after Phantom Eye's first taxi test:

Boeing is one major step closer to flying its hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye unmanned airborne system for the first time following a taxi test March 10 at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The medium speed test showcased Phantom Eye’s autonomy and laid the ground work for the high-altitude long-endurance aircraft’s historic first flight.


Source: By Chris Haddox & Randy Jackson / March 21, 2012, Boeing News (boeing.com)

Photo: Phantom Eye is towed to a fueling station where its tanks were filled with 1,900 pounds of hydrogen before the unmanned airborne system conducted its first taxi test.

Phantom Eye taxis at Edwards Air Force Base March 10. It was the first taxi test for the unmanned hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Phantom Eye mechanics and engineers prepare the unmanned airborne system for the aircraft's first taxi test March 10 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

(Photo by Boeing & NASA)

(3/21/2012)