Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Boeing Envisions a Future Laser-Carrying Unmanned Aircraft
The hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye shows the potential of a 'stratospheric, persistent directed energy platform,' says Phantom Works chief.
The Phantom Eye high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft is being kept in 'flyable storage' at NASA Armstrong. (Photo: Boeing)
The Phantom Eye high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft is being kept in 'flyable storage' at NASA Armstrong. (Photo: Boeing)

Boeing Defense is exploring uses for its Phantom Eye high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and possible commercial customers. Among longer-term applications, the aircraft demonstrates the potential of a “stratospheric, persistent directed energy” platform that could be equipped with a laser for tracking missiles, said the president of Boeing’s Phantom Works research and development unit.