Boeing Unveils Phantom Eye H2-Powered Unmanned Aircraft

In brief: Boeing has unveiled a demonstrator hydrogen-powered unmanned airborne system called the Phantom Eye.

Vehicle in the news

Make/Model: Phantom Eye
Manufacturer: Boeing

The word

The unmanned aicraft is capable of flying up to 65,000 feet and staying aloft for up to four days. A future, larger version of the plane will be capable of up to ten days' flight.

The Phantom Eye uses two 2.3L 4cyl Ford hydrogen-fueled combustion engines which deliver up to 150hp each. The aircraft has a 150-foot wingspan and cruises at about 150 knots carrying up to 450 pounds in payload.

The Phantom Eye will ship to NASA to begin ground and taxi tests before taking its first flight in early 2011.

And so ...

The demonstrator is a collaborative effort between Boeing design and several key suppliers such as Ford, Ball Aerospace, and others.

Photo credits: Boeing