Article

2011-05-04 Science & Technology

Boeing drone jet, Phantom Ray completes maiden flight

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Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2011-05-04 12:59|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [11132 views ] Top

#1 Good. Is this the one the military didn't go with?

Posted by Water Modem 2011-05-04 13:34|| 2011-05-04 13:34|| Front Page Top

#2 SkyNet becomes self-aware at May 4, 2011 1:33 p.m

Posted by Warthog 2011-05-04 15:11|| 2011-05-04 15:11|| Front Page Top

#3 Is it me or does that appear to be an awfully big drone? See the third photo. Looks more like a regular aircraft. but then I am no expert - not even close.

Posted by CrazyFool 2011-05-04 15:38|| 2011-05-04 15:38|| Front Page Top

#4 Sorry - must be some sort of jittery finger....

Posted by CrazyFool 2011-05-04 15:39|| 2011-05-04 15:39|| Front Page Top

#5 CrazyFool it REALLY is that big. UAVs like the Global Hawk and Predator series are as big as some fighter jets, the Phantom Ray is about the size of an F-16 (bigger in wingspan though). Smaller drones like the Shadow and Hunter are used more for tactical reconnaissance than strike roles/strategic recon roles (although I suppose you could fit a Hunter out with some manner of weapons just not very many).

Posted by Valentine 2011-05-04 15:58|| 2011-05-04 15:58|| Front Page Top

#6 It's an autonomous stealthy recon/bomber. There is no ground controller required to fly it like the Predators. The mission is uploaded to the onboard computer and it flies itself.

Posted by Zebulon Thranter9685 2011-05-04 16:14|| 2011-05-04 16:14|| Front Page Top

#7 The Doomsday Machine.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2011-05-04 16:20|| 2011-05-04 16:20|| Front Page Top

#8 Thanks Valentine.

Looking forward to the drone equivalent of the B-52...

There's a video

I can't seem to get it to run from work.

Posted by CrazyFool 2011-05-04 16:27|| 2011-05-04 16:27|| Front Page Top

whos idea was this on the front?

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2011-05-04 16:54|| 2011-05-04 16:54|| Front Page Top

#10 I believe Israel has an even bigger UAV.

No real reason to have manned bombers when remote control can do the same things.

Posted by phil_b 2011-05-04 19:52|| 2011-05-04 19:52|| Front Page Top

#11 phil_b you're probably thinking of the Heron which is basically a Predator with a longer wingspan (the Eitan version has a 26 meter wingspan for instance).

Nonetheless both versions serve in the recon role (with payloads in the 550lb range), you can as the Predator has shown be able to fit weapons on them, just not very many. In comparison a UCAV like the Phantom Ray can carry two 2,000lb JDAMs (or 8 SDBs for instance) internally, making this a strike platform first.

That said I welcome our new robotic overlords! :D

Posted by Valentine 2011-05-05 00:04|| 2011-05-05 00:04|| Front Page Top

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