Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Boeing's Phantom Eye and the Coming Drone Wars

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


SpyRepublic.com

Boeing’s Phantom Eye cutaway view

 

The US military’s use of drones in warfare abroad is bipartisan, driven by an incredibly lucrative industry facing no austerity, defense contractors employed by private corporations, and imperialistic goals to remain the sole superpower.

 

Obama has intensified the program, but only because technological advancements have coincided with his presidency. Romney will certainly not give away the new powers the Executive has taken, deciding life and death, even regarding American citizens.

 

The potential for an incredibly dystopic future Skynet throughout America’s skies has already been decided. The collective shrug by most of the public has, in fact, ensured it. What even Constitutionalists and privacy experts seem to forget is that the vast majority of drones are used for warfare. This is what they’ve been designed to do, and what their “pilots” have been trained to dole out from above. Police departments are already dreaming of the possibility of armed drones in their area, and Seattle is looking for more (at $150,000 a pop) drones, despite the fact their PD has two already, sitting in storage.

 

Even as more enemies magically appear in various conflagrations abroad, one of America’s only remaining industries will continue to look for either customers or targets everywhere.

     

 

 

 

From National Defense Magazine

 

One of the more promising concepts is the Phantom Eye, a high-altitude, long endurance (HALE) UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). The lightweight aircraft–its gross weight is 9,800 pounds–uses a hydrogen propellant, can carry a 450-pound payload and fly for four days at 65,000 feet.

 

The hydrogen propellant is no more expensive than gasoline and is readily available. Environmentally, hydrogen fuel is also ideal because its byproduct is water. The hydrogen fuel concept is one that Boeing is looking to implement across some of its other products. 

 

“[There will be] more focus on making systems that are stealthier, so they can’t be detected as easily by the enemies, [and] more autonomous so they can operate more on their own. So, if they lose [a] communication link with the headquarters, they can continue to do their mission,” said Phil Finnegan, director of corporate analysis at the Teal Group.

 

The Phantom Eye unmanned airborne system completed its first autonomous flight June 1, at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, CA, during which it reached an altitude of 4,080 feet cruising at 62 knots. With proper equipment, the aircraft can communicate with surface ships up to 800 nautical miles away.

 

Boeing is also working on making a HALE-UAV that can fly for 10 days and carry a payload of 2,000 pounds. At the same time, the company is developing aircraft that will be more autonomous and better suited to fly in contested airspace. While Boeing is pushing for more autonomous capabilities, a company spokeswoman noted that manned vehicles are not going away; it plans to work on concepts to help unmanned and manned aircraft teams, something the Defense Department is demanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week, DARPA announced a successful test they conducted to determine the feasibility of Autonomous High Altitude Refueling (AHR).

 

After concluding a two-year study assessing autonomous refueling, the potential breadth of uses is quite staggering. Robots refueling robots who are able to remain airborne forever, surveilling or bombing anything they are programmed to by someone in an air-conditioned trailer thousands of miles away. Nobody seems to mind bombing Pakistan, and if the media gives a good enough reason, I doubt bombing Peoria will be minded either.



Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.