US military will soon have a new solar-powered unmanned spy aircraft called Solar Eagle.The aircraft, being built by Boeing is designed in such a way that it can soar in the upper atmosphere for years, constantly sending surveillance and intelligence information back to the ground. Unmanned spy aircraft can fly non-stop for more than five years.The US military has already given Boeing an 89-million dollars contract to develop a Solar Eagle demonstrator which will make its first flight in 2014.According to the report, the aircraft's developer Phantom Works, Boeing’s research and development arm, is also working on a fighter-sized, unmanned, advanced technology demonstrator called Phantom Ray, scheduled to make its first flight in early 2011.Its other projects included a hydrogen-powered aircraft called Phantom Eye — a High Altitude Long Endurance aircraft that can stay aloft for up to four days. It is also scheduled to make its first flight in 2011.
News On AIR | September 20, 2010 5:47 PM
US military will soon have new solar-powered unmanned spy aircraft