Boeing Phantom Eye hydrogen powered UAV [Video] > Fuel Cell Dispatch

Boeing Phantom Eye hydrogen powered UAV [Video]

Boeing has already proved that the technology that isn’t quite ready for our cars is just right for planes. In 2008, the first hydrogen fuel cell aircraft was piloted (by a man), making history in the process. It was a glider that made use of an electric motor and a battery pack. The pilot flew straight and level at a reasonable altitude for approximately 20 minutes.

If it works for gliders, than hydrogen works for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), used as reconnaissance platforms by the US military. And so the Boeing Phantom Eye project was born. Development of the revolutionary airplane has been going well, and Boeing has just announced they completed taxi tests on March 10th, according to Softpedia News. We’re interested in this UAV because it actually makes use of two Ford Ranger engines converted to burn liquid hydrogen.

“The aircraft performed well and the data collected will help populate our models,” Drew Mallow explains.

“This test brings us one step closer to our first flight,” concludes the Boeing Phantom Eye program manager.

The Phantom Eye is expected to be able to stay in action for 4 days. This is partly due to the efficiency of the new systems, but also because of its 150-foot (45 meters) wingspan.