Aurora Flight Sciences, the Virginia-based maker of the Perseus B remotely piloted vehicle, has begun plans to extend the aircraft's high-altitude endurance capability following a successful flight from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, California, in which it reached a height of more than 60,000ft (18,300m).
The flight, on 27 June, lasted almost 4h and was only the fourth mission for the 21.6m-span vehicle in the current test phase. According to NASA, it also marked a significant milestone for the agency's environmental research aircraft and sensor technology (ERAST) programme, at which the Perseus B is aimed. ERAST is focused on the development of technologies for a new family of high altitude, remotely piloted vehicles for atmospheric research at altitudes of 60,000-100,000ft.
To increase its endurance, Aurora plans to add fuel capacity, increase engine power, reduce airframe weight and add navigation lights for night flights. Engine power is to be boosted by increasing the output of the Rotax 912 piston engine's turbocharger.
This special three-stage, four-turbine, unit turbocharges the engine with sea-level pressure air at high altitude, producing up to 60kW (80hp). The boosted engine will have an output of more than 75kW, according to NASA.
Fuel capacity will be doubled to 300litres (80USgal), by adding pods under each wing. With these changes, programme officials hope to raise endurance to around 8h at 60,000ft with the prototype, and up to 24h at altitude with a later production version.
During the second half of 1998, the Perseus B will also be used for several missions, including a demonstration as a telecommunications relay for the US Army, and science missions.
Source: Flight International