First Look: Boeing‘s ’Phantom Ray’ Drone Completes Test Flight
- Posted on May 5, 2011 at 10:59am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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We‘ve already showed you Northrop Group’s stealth drone, the X-47B (watch here). Now Boeing has entered the fray with its Phantom Ray, a stealth-style drone that just completed its inaugural test flight at Andrew’s Air Force Base. But the Phantom ups the ante: instead of being just an unmanned drone controlled by remote control, it can be controlled by a computer.
The LA Times explains:
Boeing Co.‘s experimental drone, dubbed Phantom Ray, flew to 7,500 feet and reached speeds of 205 mph in its first flight. The 17-minute flight took place April 27, but Boeing officials did not confirm details until Tuesday.
The Phantom Ray, which resembles a giant boomerang, is being developed by the Chicago company for a variety of missions. Its stealthy design could enable it to slip behind enemy lines to knock out radar installations, clearing the way for fighters and bombers.
Unlike existing combat drones that are controlled remotely by a human pilot, the Phantom Ray could carry out a mission controlled almost entirely by a computer. A human pilot sitting miles away designs a flight path and sends it on its way, and a computer program guides it to the target and back.
“The first flight moves us farther into the next phase of unmanned aircraft,” Craig Brown, Boeing’s Phantom Ray program manager, said in a statement obtained by the Times. “Autonomous, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft are real, and the … bar has been raised.”
The Times says Boeing doesn’t have a defense contract for the drone, which it’s been developing for the last two-and-a-half years. That could be risky. But the Phantom Ray isn‘t the only drone in Boeing’s new arsenal. The Times details the Ray along with its sister, the Eye:
With a 50-foot wingspan and 36 feet long, the drone was built at Boeing’s complex in St. Louis with engineering support from its Phantom Works facilities in Huntington Beach. [...]
The Phantom Ray is designed to fly at 40,000 feet at speeds of more than 600 mph.
Boeing is also developing another drone at Edwards. Dubbed the Phantom Eye, it has a 150-foot wingspan and is designed to fly for more than four days at a time at altitudes of up to 65,000 feet. It will be fueled by liquid hydrogen. The Phantom Eye’s first flight is slated for later this summer, the company said.























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Comments (159)
The Oracle
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:30pmYes. Very nice, indeed. The question that begs an answer though is this,
Will U.S. taxpayers have to pay huge sums; Military Air Travel Taxes, in order
to keep this thing in the sky. This would necessitate that Air Force jets and
ground warfare equipment will have to pay the same tax rates that are being
considered equitable to seize from ordinary citizens, rich and poor alike.
‘-It’s only fair,’ would suggest Obama. ‘-We want to keep this a level playing
field. The military can’t enjoy paying no taxes whilst American citizens are
being asked to sacrifice in my name. My will be done. My will be done.’
Report Post »Dirty Durden
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:28pmGOD, forbid that same military (in the Wrong Hands) point the guns & military forces inward on the people. As an American, that is what scares me the most!
Report Post »Bushie
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:21pmBoeing should use their new drone to shoot down the union that holding them back from opening a new plant in SC that will employee over 1000 people.
Report Post »TheMarine
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:14pmOur military is great… but this is also the works of American innovation, capitalism, and freedom to fail and succeed.
Report Post »Ballgame
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:14pmI just got a tingle up my leg.
Report Post »thebarbarian
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 4:30amlmao
Report Post »sadmanwhossane
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:06pmrock on
Report Post »PER100
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:54am“any idiot can build a bomb, nobody can deliver it America”. true, China and Russia are still trying to steal stealth tech from the 1980′s. N. Korea and Iran are still trying to perfect nuk tech we had in the 40‘s and 50’s, and Palastien is still trying to learn about post offices…why is there still a question about who is the best country and who is small little minded fools that just like to bark at the US. I dont see anybody risking their lives to sneak into Iran, or korea to live in poverty because its better than where they left
Report Post »burr99
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:50amYet another example of the power of the Capitalist system (such as it is under many of the draconian socialist/communist restrictions that we now have). Would boeing create (pour millions of dollars into without a gaurntee of return) such a machine without a profit motive? I dare say not. Our system is much like planting. There is no gaurntee of a harvest. But the return of just one seed, can easily be 100 fold. God bless the USA. !
Report Post »Max Entropy
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:48amLast seen over Roswell. Alien reverse engineering anyone?
Report Post »Well done Boeing, well done.
Armed Patriot
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:01amWell THEY do live among us. Just look at dennis kucinich and nazi pelosi.
Report Post »deadbeatjoe
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:41amNice. I wonder if Jack Northrop will finally get the credit due him.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:09pmHe saw the B-1 bomber on the ground just before he died.
Report Post »donedunn
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 5:05pm@DeadbeatJoe:
I posted a similar response before reading yours. Jack Northrop would love that it is a flying wing.
Report Post »ED4237
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:40amAll the great toys in the world really don’t win wars and these drones all invoke a war of the future were it is more video game to try and make it more paletable to the people.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:06pmAnd thanks to today’s contributor from the N.S. Sherlock Foundation.
Report Post »trooper
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:37amMore high tech equipment to kill our enemies, very cool!
Report Post »satotbs
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:30amNotice; “It will be fueled by liquid hydrogen.” At last an enviromentally friendly weapon system even Cindy Sheehan can love. Is this a great country or what?
Report Post »AIDANMAN
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:30amwhy not put that technology in older aircraft and not worry about it returning?
Report Post »think of all the out dated planes sitting in mothballs…
RightPolitically
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:27amNow Boeing has to make certain China, Russia, etc, don’t get their hands on the design plans through their network of spies and traitors already in the country!
Report Post »neke
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:52amThe prez and his gang will be sure that they do!
Report Post »Entropy
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 5:43pmOh yeah, they cannot pump the traitors into this country fast enough. The Russians will have a copy in 5 years. Minimum.
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 6:52pmHow about loaning a few to Israel to take care of the ran Nucleur Problem?
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:22amI must say it’s a nice piece of equipment that can serve us very well……“can” is the key word
Report Post »Charles Catalano
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:22amI can’t fly anymore, but I could fly the heck out of this bird on my computer!!
Report Post »teachermitch32
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:19amCan anyone say “Skynet”? just kidding. This is awesome!
Report Post »Evileye
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:19amGet the economy going so we can stay the predominant military power on earth
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:18amComing soon to a city near you…..I don’t no how soon, but drones will be common place flying over our cities in the not too distant future. ..just a prediction
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:23amknow…whoops
Report Post »Entropy
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 5:34pmYou are exactly right. Do not think for a second that they will not be used against us in the future. Thank god that the US miltary consists of the sons and daughters of conservatives and not that of lib progs. That is our only hope. Even given that, I guarantee you, if given the orders, some will fire on you and your families like they are bugs.
Report Post »Joe Mama
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:17amSkynet to become self aware in 3…2…
Report Post »TheFormerlyInvisibleMan
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:16amSweet.
Report Post »jblovesAmerica
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:12amthose in the rats nest need to take a hard look at whats coming if they pull another 9/11-
Report Post »Cryptoportico
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:03amVery nice, friendly skies…
http://www.cryptoportico.com
Report Post »http://www.facebook.com/Socialist.Indoctrination
Robert-CA
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 2:03pmDid the EPA approved it ?
Report Post »thebarbarian
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 4:03amno joke this absolutely ROCKS! go free market capitalism, the American will to excell, the military(DOD), and those kickbutttt dudes and dudettes at Boeing.
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:54amAnd it sure beats the Government Motors Chevy Volt.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:01amWhat a machine! Our military rocks!
Report Post »Finch88
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:04amThat is definitely awesome! I want one!
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:09amThis is BAD A*S !!!!
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:14amOh Goody. Another way to rain Death from above on the evildoers of this world. Anything that helps our military to DESTROY (yes I said DESTROY, I am a rabid right wing supporter of our country and military) our enemies is a really really god thing. Is it capable of hitting 30 Rock without causing too much collateral damage??? If it can I will marry the durn thing.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:14amThis came about after they lost in the F-22 competition. Their focus went from a manned fighter to drones. Awesome.
Report Post »Experts say the F-35 Strike fighter will be the last “Manned” fighter. We are moving towards more of a drone technology.
Say what you want about the Air Force, we may not be as tough as the SEALS, can’t run as far as a Marine, do as many push ups as the Army, but when we get ya, you don’t see it coming.
bassist237
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:15amFantastically fun, brings a new definition to flight simulators..
Report Post »fulcrum
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:21amActually to phrase it better:
Report Post »Our free market rocks!!
Or, thank God for the the free market!!
Without the free matket and capitalism, we would not have any of this technology.
Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:21amYAY A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR MACHINE THAT PROBABLY TOOK A BILLION TO DEVELOP WHILE OUR ECONOMY IS SINKING!!
HOOAH!
pfft.
I can build a totally electric ionocraft that makes this look stupid, and costs drastically less.
Report Post »PrfctlyFrank
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:24amOh yeah sure!! Put this together with the claim that Computers could possibly become “self aware,” in the next five years and we won’t even have to know about a war.. Let the computers handle it.. Scary stuff that..
Report Post »LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:26amYippy .. another new TOY …can’t wait until we get a chance to use it.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:30amDarmok:
Report Post »I don’t believe the F-35 will be the last manned fighter. I remember when the F-8U crusader was called “The Last Gunfighter.”
Sinsta Mace:
You would have to build it with some type of artifical intelligence. I doubt you are that smart.
jeffro314
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:33amno, our military contractors ROCK! govt didnt invent this, military didnt build it… this is a monument to capitalism!
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:38amAnd just how soon will the Globalist corporation Boeing wait untill it unleashes it’s arsenal of death upon us my dear compatriots? Since I live just a few short miles from Boeing central, I may be first in line, yippie. Oh, I heard a stealh helicopter overfly my house last night as it was going to the Boeing facility north of me, sounds like a muted weed sacked, very hard to discern the direction it was coming from.
Report Post »True American66
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:41amTo those negative posters above….what you don’t seem to understand is that Boeing developed this stealth fighter with profits they make in our free market sysytem….MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD IS TRYING TO FORCE BOEING TO BUILD THEIR NEW COMMERCIAL 787 IN SEATTLE WITH OVER-PRICED UNION LABOR. Boeing wants to open a new plant to build some of their new 787 in the Carolinas, but NLB is trying to FORCE them to use UNION labor in Seattle. Boeing does not want to take any work away from Seattle, they just want to supplement their workforce in another state to faster satisfy contracts they already have. Maybe if big union thuggery would get out of the way, Boeing could make even more profit to continue it’s research & development of new technology to keep us safe……think about that for a minute
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:42am@Finch 88:
Agreed, I want one with a remote control and a light on it that makes it look like on of those UFO’s in the videos – think of the fun you can have.
Report Post »GruVmonkee
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:46amHrmm… I wonder if they’ll be available on eBay…
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:13pmJ.C. McGlynn
This thing doesn’t have any artificial intelligence.
The “intelligence” that created it, probably isn’t intelligent enough to create an artificial intelligence.
I can design and program supercomputers and neural networks made from Basic Stamp microcontrollers in series… How do you know that I’m not able to program an artifical intelligence using a memristive neural network embedded in a polymer matrix with electrolytic solution ?
You don’t, that’s how.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:15pmSnow
Build yourself a nice ionocraft and make it work.
Put the automotive and airline industries out of business.
Report Post »Ballgame
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:17pmComputer Nerds Rock!
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:21pmNow go drop a bacon filled nuke on Mecca
Report Post »Florida_Freedom_Fighter
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:33pmSweet,, love the name…
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:38pmFor those of you that don’t trust our government yet applaud at how advance our military gets on a daily basis amazes me. While the rest of us serfs are only allowed semi-auto rifles, they’ve got drones that can kill us while we sleep with just one computer nerd in some bunker somewhere at the controls.
Hell, did they mean that the thing an be flown by a computer that it is an autonomous computer? It doesn’t look as cool as the jet from “Stealth” but the concept seems close enough to make my hairs stand on end.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:52pmLet the UFO sightings begin.
Report Post »southerngal
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:54pmHe is right about designing about the development of AI except for the repetitive failure with the double redundant integers when reverse compiled by a SnapSplit digit mixer driven by a triple non-polynomial integrated Flassenburger Algorithm. I’m just saying.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:55pm“autonomous computer” is not “artificial intelligence”.
Its Skynet, stupid circuitry programmed by stupid people to kill said stupid people.
Report Post »harvey78
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:00pmSorry, techno“gal”, the integrated flassenburger algorithm was originally designed by Normas Deslundyan and remains unedited and functional
Report Post »AynRandLives
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:05pmReverse engineering from the Greys…
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:14pmOh, much MUCH better than showing OBL death pictures! This is more like how the job gets done.
Report Post »Mike Westfall No Hiding
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:15pm@American Soldier (Separated)
I’m in total agreement. When a person has to control the button, there are human thoughts and considerations involved. We can trust our military personel to do right by ourselves. You put this technology in the hand of a tryanical dictator, you get very bad results.
“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. ”
Report Post »Thomas Jefferson
banjarmon
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:28pmI know what the first target should be…..
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 2:03pm@Sinista MACE
You are FOS.
”
Ionocrafts, also known as Ionic Lifters, are some of the most ingenious displays of motor-less flight. They function on the principle that a high-voltage current running through small wire will ionize particles in the air. These ionized particles are pushed down by the current and hit neutral air molecules. The collision between the two types of particles creates a very slight upward force capable of lifting a very light object. Although they are not efficient enough to be very practical, Ionocrafts make excellent science experiments and demonstrations of ionic wind.”
Read more: How to Build an Ionocraft | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6595743_build-ionocraft.html#ixzz1LVCyNyPi
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 2:04pmThat is a sexy drone.
A word of caution from our Founders, though, in light of the continual erosion of our Constitution:
The Federalist Papers, #41
“… the liberties of Rome proved the final victim to her military triumphs; and that the liberties of Europe, as far as they ever existed, have, with few exceptions, been the price of her military establishments.”
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 2:25pmAnonymous T. Irrelevant
Exactly what have I said that is FOS?
I don’t need you to define for me what an ionocraft is, I’VE BUILT THEM, BOY!
“They function on the principle that a high-voltage current running through small wire will ionize particles in the air.”
No, that is NOT how they function, they function as ASYMMETRICAL CAPACITORS with a SMALL POSITIVE ELECTRODE and a NEGATIVE ELECTRODE with a greater surface area, using ANY MEDIUM as a DIELECTRIC, EVEN VACUUM, PROVEN BY THOMAS TOWNSEND BROWN’S EXPERIMENTS. IONOCRAFT IS A MISNOMER. THEY ARE LEVITATING CAPACITORS.
The phenomenon of antigravitational effects of asymmetrical capacitors was first discovered when electrolytic capacitors being used in high voltage equipment were observed to move when discharged.
Report Post »Mike
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 2:26pmSo when does Skynet become self-aware again?! ha ha
Report Post »Dale
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 2:51pmDoes anyone else see a star trek insignia resemblance?
Report Post »SavvyCowboy
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:35pmYes – makes me proud to be a veteran!!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:38pmAs Bill Cosby would say, riiiight.
“The old antigravity claim is that by using an Asymmetrical Capacitor Thruster (lifters), levitation can be achieved. By applying charges using the aforementioned device, forces were measures to within +/- 100nN. Forces created this way are independent of polarity. Uniform magnetic fields have no effect on force. Geometrical variations in asymmetry caused little change in force. However, these results best match the coronal discharge effect. With this in mind, there have been some wild claims about complete control of gravitation over the last 80 years (such as those by Thomas Townsend Brown), although, most claims do not go that far. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) DEBUNKED BROWN”S CLAIM, (back in 1952) attributing effects to lunar tides.”
If this really worked, don’t you think someone would be making money off of this already? Or do you think the Oil Companies bought and destroyed the research?
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:54pmHey Anonymous T. Irrelevant,
Chew on THIS:
http://arxiv.org/ftp/physics/papers/0211/0211001.pdf
Army Research Laboratory
Force on an Asymmetric Capacitor
by Thomas B. Bahder and Chris Fazi
6. Summary and Suggested Future Work
We have presented a brief history of the Biefeld-Brown effect: a net force is observed on an
asymmetric capacitor when a high voltage bias is applied. The physical mechanism responsible
for this effect is unknown. In section 4, we have presented estimates of the force on the
capacitor due to the effect of an ionic wind and due to charge drift between capacitor electrodes.
The force due to ionic wind is at least three orders of magnitude too small. The force due to
charge drift is plausible, however, the estimates are only scaling estimates, not a microscopic
model.
More experimental and theoretical work is needed to gain an understanding of the Biefeld-
Brown effect. As discussed, the most pressing question is whether the Biefeld-Brown effect
occurs in vacuum. It seems that Brown may have tested the effect in vacuum, but not reported it
(Appendix B). More recently, there is some preliminary work that tested the effect in vacuum,
and claimed that there is some small effect—smaller than the force observed in air; see the
second report cited in reference [2].
I have already studied extensively the kinetic attributes of gyroscopic virtual photons comprising the magnetic field. You haven’t studied anything, you are replac
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 5:02pmI laugh hysterically at 600mph, when a properly formed photonic shell will allow light-speed acceleration and beyond.
The Army already has it, it’s called the TR3B, it has a magnetic field disruptor comprised of a ferromagnetic ferrofluid contained within a toroid, accelerated to relativistic speed while pressurized at 250,000 atmospheres, with a rotational speed of 60,000 revolutions per minute. Black Flying Triangle.
You don’t know what the Phantom Ray really can do. It may have that technology also. But I doubt it.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 5:03pmI was gonna say, you replace your brain with google while I actually do research.
Report Post »ottodiedacktick
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 5:29pmOooops! I meant to say “I’m not not looking forward to … “. Wait. “I’m looking forward to …”. That’s it!
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 6:15pm“I can design and program supercomputers and neural networks made from Basic Stamp microcontrollers in series… How do you know that I’m not able to program an artifical intelligence using a memristive neural network embedded in a polymer matrix with electrolytic solution ? ”
________________________________________________________________________
Well, I will be. It is a cross between Macgyver and Macgruber. He is known as MacSinista.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 6:26pmPajamash
People who know me and watch me do all that stuff call me Blackguyver.
Report Post »Beachcomber556
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:15pmOur aerospace and defense industries rocks, which in turn provide the tools to allow our military to rock.
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:50amVery impressive. This is the kind of stuff that brings our men and women home alive. Built to dust derka-derka… but… Havent these people seen Terminator??? Just saying that it might not be as smart to build as we might think.
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:51amSkynet is plausible. Just ask Sinista Mace. He has already built the “chip”.
Report Post »oldoldtimer
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:13pmPoeple will not be so happy when Obama uses it against US citizens.
Report Post »just the facts
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:03pmYea, it’s a beautiful thing but….I wonder just how much of that technology was stolen from the ‘small’ guy’s. I know for a fact our rotorcraft was stolen and without dollars in your back pocket, there really isn’t any fighting them. We worked on a new type of system for 14 years before we heard that “someone else” was working on it. Yea, it’s a beautiful thing but do or did they steal any technology??
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