Phantom Ray: Boeing unveils spy plane of the future

dailymail ^

[traumer]

It may look like a futuristic starfighter, but this sleek gun-metal craft is Boeing's latest unmanned spy plane.

Called the Phantom Ray, the cutting-edge unmanned airborne system (UAS) was unveiled at a ceremony in St Louis yesterday.

The sleek craft has a 50ft wingspan, measures 36ft long and has a gross weight of 36,500lbs. It operates at an altitude of 40,000ft, which is 10,000ft higher than the average long-haul commercial airliner. It will cruise comfortably at a speed of 614mph, or 0.8mach, just shy of the speed of sound.

The Phantom Ray is a 'one off' demonstration vehicle intended to be a flying test bed for future technology development opportunities.

It was developed by Boeing Phantom Works based on a prototype that the company had originally created for the U.S military.

Designed in a way to create a very low radar cross-section, the craft doesn't betray its presence over enemy territories. The engine is buried within the body to reduce the infra-red signature, thus throwing missiles off its course. It is likely any weaponry on board would 'pop out' only when needed.

CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, Dennis Muilenburg, said: 'Phantom Ray offers a host of options for our customers as a test bed for advanced technologies, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; suppression of enemy air defenses; electronic attack and autonomous aerial refueling - the possibilities are nearly endless.'

[GeronL]

bump

[rahbert]

Most longhaul flights get pretty close to or exceed FL40,
if memory serves.

[traumer]

May or may not need a pilot...

[TheThirdRuffian]

[TheThirdRuffian]

Looks like a Cylon Raider.

[MediaMole]

Wasn’t a UAV very similar to this spotted operating in Afghanistan last year?

[stefanbatory]

CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, Dennis Muilenburg, said: ‘Phantom Ray offers a host of options for our customers as a test bed for advanced technologies, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; suppression of enemy air defenses; electronic attack and autonomous aerial refueling - the possibilities are nearly endless.’

But will it surf the internet for songs to illegally download when it goes berserk?

[JRandomFreeper]

I have a radio tuned to the Tower, Ground, and Departure frequencies for the local airport. FL36 is the highest I've heard and that was to Guantanamo. Of course, you hear the occasional "Direct assent to 14000 approved, cleared for take off."

Followed by a roar in the distance. ;)

/johnny

[Jeff Chandler]

[chrisser]

"Most longhaul flights get pretty close to or exceed FL40..."

I'm guessing by the context that FL40 means "Flight Level of 40k feet", but can you confirm for we unitiated?

[AFreeBird]

Yep, 40k

[rahbert]

Yes that is correct. The times I have flown internationally
the altitude was in the FL36 - FL41 range (Newark-Tel Aviv).

[chrisser]

Thanks!

[Iron head mike]

those aliens better hope they don’t get pulled over

[Caesar Soze]

FL40 is 4,000 feet. Forty thousand is FL400.

[JoeProBono]

[EasySt]

Previously known as the X45-C?

[traumer]

Obviously inspired.... :o)

[csvset]

The Air Force dubbed it the RQ-170 Sentinel, it's known as the Beast Of Kandahar.

There are pics of the Beast on the web.