Hydrogen-Powered Eye in the Sky

Boeing launched the second test of its new hydrogen-powered surveillance drone late last month. Dubbed The Phantom Eye, the unmanned craft could be used for search and rescue and disaster relief applications, too.

The Phantom Eye is designed to fly for up to four days and reach altitudes as high as 65,000 ft. The drone is powered by liquid hydrogen, and uses a purpose-built ground cart for take off. It can carry a payload of up to 450 lb. It has two 2-liter, four-cylinder engines that provide 150 horsepower each, and can cruise at 150 knots. Boeing is touting the incredible fuel efficiency of the hydrogen-based system.

In late February, the drone took its second flight from NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, reaching an altitude of 8,000 ft. and flying for just over an hour.

You can watch the pudgy aircraft take flight below:

Source: Boeing