Phantom undergoes testing

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EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., March 15 (UPI) -- Boeing reports the first medium-speed taxiing test of its Phantom Eye high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle.

The exercise at Edwards Air Force Base in California was conducted in coordination with the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and the hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial vehicle reached speeds of 34.5 miles per hour.

"The aircraft performed well and the data collected will help populate our models," said Drew Mallow, Boeing Phantom Eye program manager. "This test brings us one step closer to our first flight."

The Phantom is designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and communications. It has a 150-foot wingspan and will fly at an altitude of 65,000 feet.

"Phantom Eye's hydrogen-powered propulsion system, matched with its exceptional fuel economy and robust endurance, ushers in a new realm of possibilities for potential customers' long-endurance ISR missions," said James Dodd, Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft vice president, Boeing Phantom Works.