The first aircraft developed by AeroVironment under the Global Observer joint capability technology demonstration (JCTD) programme has successfully completed initial flight testing.
The flight tests included multiple low-altitude flights at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California, US.
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The flight test phase used batteries to power the hybrid-electric aircraft and to approximate full aircraft weight and centre of gravity for flight control, performance and responsiveness evaluation.
The hydrogen-fuelled generator and liquid hydrogen fuel tanks installed on the craft will power it through stratospheric, extreme endurance flights during the joint operational utility assessment phase of the programme.
The initial test flights took place during August and September 2010 and have succeeded in achieving the primary objectives of the low-altitude flight test programme.
The primary objectives included test guidance, manual and autonomous controls, navigation, structural performance, thrust levels and handling in various winds and turbulence conditions.
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By GlobalDataThe Global Observer’s hydrogen-fuelled generator has been operating for more than 1,500 hours in a specialised environmental chamber including an uninterrupted seven-day mission cycle.
AeroVironment is developing the Global Observer unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to be the first to provide robust, cost-effective and persistent communications and surveillance over any location.
