AeroVironment launched flight tests of a new class of high-altitude aircraft called Global Observer on August 5 at Edwards AFB, California.
The unmanned aircraft system is designed to remain airborne for five to seven days, performing surveillance and communications missions, and with a 4h flight using battery power only.
Batteries will continue to power the Global Observer during the flight-test phase, although the aircraft was designed to burn liquid hydrogen to achieve long-endurance flight, says Steve Gitlin, vice president of investor relations.
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AeroVironment is building three Global Observers to deliver to the US military for an operational assessment that starts after the flight-test phase. Gitlin declines to provide a specific timeline, citing uncertainties with availability and weather on the Edwards test range. It is also not clear if the Global Observer continued to fly after the first flight.
The UAS is designed to stay airborne for up to seven days carrying a 172kg (380lb) payload at altitudes between 55,000ft (16,780m) and 65,000ft. From that distance, the aircraft's sensors can monitor an area spanning a diameter of about 965km (600 miles).
Hydrogen fuel is burned by a gasoline engine to drive an electrical generator powering two engines, flight controls and a 2.8kW package of mission systems.
Source: Flight Daily News
