Boeing Phantom Ray UAV Makes First Flight | Aviation International News

Boeing Phantom Ray UAV Makes First Flight

The Boeing Phantom Ray stealthy and autonomous UAV demonstrator made its first flight at Edwards AFB on April 27, and flew again in early May.

Boeing’s Phantom Ray stealthy and autonomous UAV made its first flight at the end of April. (Photo credit: Boeing)

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

May 16, 2011

The Boeing Phantom Ray stealthy and autonomous UAV demonstrator made its first flight at Edwards AFB on April 27, and flew again in early May. The flights followed high-speed taxi tests that validated ground guidance, navigation and control and verified mission planning, pilot interface and operational procedures. Boeing Phantom Works president Darryl Davis said that the Phantom Ray “would provide our customers with a test bed to develop future unmanned systems technology.”

Boeing self-funded the Phantom Ray after the Pentagon cancelled in early 2006 the almost identical X-45C flying wing that Boeing built during the J-UCAS program. The Northrop Grumman X-47B, in a similar class, survived the ending of J-UCAS and continued with funding from the U.S. Navy. It first flew last February.

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