Boeing received $89 million from the US military to develop a solar-powered aircraft so it can fly non-stop for more than five years. The SolarEagle is specially created to constantly send sending surveillance and intelligence information back to the ground, for 5 years.
The SolarEagle demonstrated during the tests that it can fly in the upper atmosphere for 30 days, collecting solar energy during the day, stored in fuel cells, that can be used through the night. For increased solar power and aerodynamics, the new plane will features electric motors and propellers and a 400-foot wing.
Boeing’s plan is to send this aircraft to altitudes above 60,000 feet in order to perform persistent communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Phantom Works, which is part of Boeing, is currently developing the SolarEagle.
Phantom Works is also working on a great technology, called Phantom Ray, which will power the new aircraft scheduled to make its first flight in early 2011
