Boeing has ended the scheduled flight test programme for the self-funded Phantom Ray unmanned combat air systems (UCAS) demonstrator after two sorties, although it had originally planned 10.
Boeing is not retiring the stealthy, tailless aircraft, but intends to resume flying at an undetermined date, said Craig Brown, Phantom Ray programme manager.
“It’s going to fly again,” Brown said. But he could not provide a specific timetable or a list of possible test-bed applications under consideration for future Phantom Ray tests. In addition to the two sorties, Brown said, the Phantom Ray also gathered important data in taxi tests and while being ferried on the top of the Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft.
Boeing signalled its new stance shortly after the Phantom Ray achieved first flight on April 27 at Edwards AFB, California. The company had not yet backed off the plan to conduct 10 flights. But Brown acknowledged in an interview in early May that the number of flight tests could be reduced.
Boeing re-launched the Phantom Ray internally some time in mid-2007, then staged a highly publicized unveiling event in May 2009. The Phantom Ray program revived Boeing’s X-45C aircraft developed and nearly achieved first flight under the (J-UCAS) program. The US Air Force cancelled the program in 2006, and then Boeing lost an opportunity to win the navy’s UCAS-Demonstrator programme. That contract was awarded to the Northrop Grumman X-47D.
Source: Flight Global