Phantom Ray rolls toward Flight Test

Boeing’s Phantom Ray unmanned airborne system last month completed a series of low-speed taxi tests leading up to its scheduled transport to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., next week where it will undergo further tests and a first flight in 2011.

Slated to depart for Edwards from St. Louis on Dec. 13, Phantom Ray will be secured atop the modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), marking the first time any platform other than the Space Shuttle Orbiter has been transported via the SCA.

In preparation for transport, the Phantom Ray team will conduct a test flight on Dec. 11 from the flight ramp at Boeing’s St. Louis site, where the Phantom Ray and SCA will remain airborne locally for 60 to 90 minutes. After the test flight, program officials will assess the flight details and give clearance for the aircraft to travel to California.

During last month’s low-speed taxi tests at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Phantom Ray communicated with the ground control station, received orders and made its way down the runway multiple times, allowing program officials to assess its performance and monitor the advanced systems on board.

Click on the video above to see footage from the taxi tests on Nov. 18.Due to weather conditions in St. Louis the Phantom Ray flight on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft has been postponed. Check back here for updates.

Boeing