Boeing
has announced plans to field an unmanned aerial flying test bed, called Phantom Ray, to be used to develop advanced air system technologies. According to a May 8 company release, the Phantom Ray demonstrator, which will make its first flight in December 2010, will make use of the X-45C prototype vehicle that Boeing developed for the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System program. Boeing is funding this new effort internally. Darryl Davis, president of Boeing’s Phantom Works, said that the company’s goals for the new program “clearly demonstrate our commitment to rapid prototyping and are an important part of the company’s efforts to be a leader in the unmanned aircraft business.” The company plans to “incorporate the latest technologies into the superb X-45C airframe design,” said Dave Koopersmith, vice president of Boeing Advanced Military Aircraft.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
