Posted on 05/05/2011 9:16:25 AM PDT by mandaladon
Weve already showed you Northrop Groups stealth drone, the X-47B (watch here). Now Boeing has entered the fray with its Phantom Ray, a stealth-style drone that just completed its inaugural test flight at Andrews Air Force Base. But the Phantom ups the ante: instead of being just an unmanned drone controlled by remote control, it can be controlled by a computer. The LA Times explains:
Boeing Co.s experimental drone, dubbed Phantom Ray, flew to 7,500 feet and reached speeds of 205 mph in its first flight. The 17-minute flight took place April 27, but Boeing officials did not confirm details until Tuesday.
The Phantom Ray, which resembles a giant boomerang, is being developed by the Chicago company for a variety of missions. Its stealthy design could enable it to slip behind enemy lines to knock out radar installations, clearing the way for fighters and bombers.
Unlike existing combat drones that are controlled remotely by a human pilot, the Phantom Ray could carry out a mission controlled almost entirely by a computer. A human pilot sitting miles away designs a flight path and sends it on its way, and a computer program guides it to the target and back.
(Excerpt) Read more at theblaze.com ...
“Phantom Ray”. Nice Name
I like the “Batman” logo on the nose!
OK, I know it’s the intake!
Fascinating. Skynet’s coming closer and closer...
}:-)4
I was thinking Speed Racer Mach 5.
Regardless, it’s still a cool aggressive look.
I thought that was the Motorola logo.
This was the logo on the fuselage at the initial rollout:
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