The X-45 experimental UAV.
Boeing’s airborne laser project might be on slightly shaky grounds but this isn’t stopping them from the continued development of its fighter sized UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), named Phantom Ray. The UAV is going to be built using technology developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy Joint-Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) program.“Boeing’s goals for the Phantom Ray program clearly demonstrate our commitment to rapid prototyping and are an important part of the company’s efforts to be a leader in the unmanned aircraft business,” said Phantom Works President Darryl Davis. “We have mobilized our assets to continue the tremendous potential we developed under J-UCAS, and now will fully demonstrate that capability.”.
The Phantom Ray is intended to further demonstrate Boeing’s unmanned systems development in state of the art aerospace systems. ”What is particularly exciting about Phantom Ray is that we will incorporate the latest technologies into the superb X-45C airframe design,” said Dave Koopersmith, vice president of Boeing Advanced Military Aircraft, a division of Phantom Works. “As we gradually expand the vehicle’s flight envelope, potential users will have access to a full range of unique capabilities that only this type of autonomous platform can provide.”
I’m starting to wonder when the amount of research currently being put into UAV is going to start finding itself into commercial aviation. As demonstrated by the X-42, it is possible for one person to pilot two vehicles, so at some point someone is bound to offer this route up as a cost saving. Let’s just hope that when this eventually happens we don’t get onboard the plane to a nice welcome message saying – “Welcome onboard – powered by Microsoft Windows” 