A new Boeing unmanned drone Phantom Eye makes its first flight
India Daily Tech Reporter
Jun. 5, 2012

A new Boeing unmanned drone that is designed to stay airborne for days has completed its first autonomous flight at Edwards Air Force Base.

Despite a rocky landing. the Phantom Eye performed well. During its 28 minute flight, the Phantom Eye "reached an altitude of 4,080 feet and a cruising speed of 62 knots before landing at the California desert base.

However, when it landed it was damaged when the landing gear dug into a lakebed and broke. The flight took place at the Dryden Flight Research Center. Despite the altitude reached during the first flight, it is a far cry form the maximum altitude of 65,000 feet and 96-hour maximum flight time the military wants.

Drummond, noting the damage, also commented that the landing was not the only issue for the Phantom Eye. For instance, in 2010, the company aspired to an initial test flight of 8 hours and then had previously said it was considering a two hour flight before the day's 28 minute flight. Drummond added, It's a little unclear what value a gigantic drone has, given that Congress is pushing the Air Force to deploy giant spy-blimps, which can lug even more spy gear while loitering for longer periods of time.

A new Boeing unmanned drone Phantom Eye makes its first flight
India Daily Tech Reporter
A new Boeing unmanned drone that is designed to stay airborne for days has completed its first autonomous flight at Edwards Air Force Base.
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