Boeing's hydrogen Phantom Eye spies and flies for four days

by Steven Mostyn - Jul 14 2010, 12:42

While it may look too fat and heavy to even get off the ground, the pictured vehicle from aircraft specialists Boeing may well represent the future of advanced spy plane technology.

Granted, the hilariously named ‘Phantom Eye’ is chubby and unattractive, looking not unlike a World War II doodlebug with a massive wingspan, but Boeing’s latest unmanned craft is capable of flying at a ceiling of 65,000 feet for up to four days.

“[Phantom Eye] is a perfect example of turning an idea into a reality,” enthused Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works, at the aircraft’s unveiling ceremony on Monday.

“It defines our rapid prototyping efforts and will demonstrate the art-of-the-possible when it comes to persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,” he added. “The capabilities inherent in Phantom Eye’s design will offer game-changing opportunities for our military, civil and commercial customers.”

Powered by a pair of 2.3 litre, four-cylinder Ford engines that produce around 150bhp each, the Phantom Eye’s staggeringly long flight times are perhaps only matched by its environmental credentials.

According to an official Boeing press release, the unmanned spy plane runs on hydrogen fuel cell technology, which means the only byproduct released into the atmosphere by its engines is water.

Other features connected to the Phantom Eye include a 150-foot wingspan, a cruising speed of approximately 170mph (around 275kph), and a payload capacity of up to 450lb.    

Flight testing of the Phantom Eye spy plane is expected to begin during 2011.

Around the Web