Phantom Eye, Reconnaissance Aircraft

His name is creepy, Phantom Eye. But the appearance of new reconnaissance aircraft is not at all scary. The fat body wrapped in a clean white color with an unusually long wing, extending to 46 meters, making it more like a tadpole with wings. Despite the mediocre performance, the equivalent of flying ability RQ-4/MQ-4 Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft, capable of flying to altitudes above 19 thousand feet.

Unmanned reconnaissance aircraft made by a company from the United States, Boeing, has another advantage that is not owned by the spy plane anywhere. Liquid hydrogen fuel, a reconnaissance aircraft Phantom Eye "green" first. Boeing states of hydrogen fuel is relatively clean because of the emissions produced aircraft will be water, not carbon dioxide or other toxic gases.

Boeing engineers' calculations show this fuel has a higher energy density than ordinary fuels such as aviation fuel. As a result, the fuel becomes more efficient so it supports the need for a higher cruising range.

Liquid hydrogen fuel is supplied from two circular tank 2.5 meters in diameter mounted on the fuselage and capable of containing liquid fuels up to 840 pounds. Two tanks are made visible fat fuselage at the front so that the whole looks like a tadpole. Fuel from the tank flowed into two three-stage centrifugal compressor to compress the thin air at altitude. Increased air pressure helps the performance of liquid hydrogen in the combustion chamber that produces 150 horsepower strength so that it can fly up to the speed of 150 knots. The plan, Boeing will conduct Phantom Eye first flight in August 2011. As the aircraft (high altitude aircraft), the Phantom Eye is estimated to be able to fly to a height of 19.8 kilometers, beyond the cruising altitude of commercial airliners, which are generally located at an altitude of 11 kilometers.

Boeing completed the assembly of aircraft, unmanned reconnaissance Phantom Eye in less than one and a half years, since it began in March 2010 through a subsidiary in charge of research and development secrets, Boeing Phantom Works. They plan to make a reconnaissance unmanned aircraft capable of flying high and long lasting in the air.

"The essence of the Phantom Eye is a durable propulsion systems," said President of Boeing Phantom Works, Darryl Davis, in announcing the project this aircraft in March 2010 last year.

This aircraft has a capacity of 2.3 liter engine made by Ford, and drives the propeller blades. Experiments were also performed on the endurance booster system that shows the aircraft can roam up to 96 hours without stopping. Completion of the aircraft during the next year to improve the ability of the driving system can last up to 80 hours, matching the capabilities of Boeing Condor reconnaissance planes made two decades earlier. Technology reconnaissance aircraft in use today generally survive at an interval of 24-36 hours.

"The advantages of this aircraft lies in the durability, not a stealth capabilities," said a spokeswoman for Boeing Phantom Works, Chris Haddox.

Aircraft wing span made along 46 meters of the development of Aurora Flight Sciences. The design of the wing is a modified version of the unmanned aircraft made by the same company Orion.

To support the ability to fly high, Boeing seeks to reduce the weight of the aircraft. Lander equipment removed from the design of complex aircraft and replace it with the nose wheel and skid. Therefore, for takeoff, the plane should be placed on the four-wheeled cart is immediately released when the aircraft is airborne.

Other expense reductions were also performed on other parts like the wing weight reduction by applying the composite material. Aircraft empty weight of its own target of 3.4 tons.

Flying high ability and exceptional durability is suited to the needs of today's reconnaissance. As a supporter of the ability to fly without a crew, Boeing build a complete communication system so that the aircraft can be controlled remotely.

This remote control will maximize the ability of aircraft reconnaissance and infiltration effectively done from a height. Phantom Eye can also function as a communications relay aircraft.

One of the surveillance equipment that will be installed at the Phantom Eye is an infrared sensor air. Scanner technology is able to detect movement of missiles heat so that could be used to interrupt the opponent's weapon was launched. *** [ANTON WILLIAM | BOEING | AVIATIONWEEK | KORAN TEMPO 3607]