Darpa Vulture Goes To Boeing | AVIATION WEEK: "The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) has chosen Boeing’s concept for the second phase of the Vulture long-endurance unmanned aerial system (UAS) program over an offer from Lockheed Martin.
The $89 million contract calls for Boeing, which is teamed with Qinetiq, to develop a heavier-than-air platform capable of keeping 1,000 lb. of payload with 5 kw. of power aloft for five years. Work on this capability, which is described as a “pseudo satellite” system, will run through February 2014.
Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works, says the Vulture win, which follows the Navy’s recent selection of the Integrator UAS for ship and Marine use, is a major step for the company and its plans to grow a robust unmanned aircraft business.
Boeing’s vehicle is called the Solar Eagle. It will use solar and fuel cell technologies from Qinetiq, which builds the Zephyr UAS, coupled with a new airframe."
