BOEING FRONTIERS / APRIL 2013 23 a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Future Phantom Eye flight tests will continue expanding the aircraft’s flight altitude and endurance until it achieves its goal of staying aloft for four consecutive days at very high altitudes. The chance to work on Phantom Eye, Knoble said, has been one of the most rewarding challenges in his 32-year engineering career. “It’s so motivating and exciting to be part of a program that moves at such a fast pace to accomplish a goal,” he said. “It’s what makes people dedicate their time and energy—all because you have that goal in sight.” n eric.j.carlson2@boeing.com PHOTOS: (Pages 20–21) With its 150-foot (46-meter) wingspan, the unmanned Phantom Eye soars over the lakebed of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., during its Feb. 25 second flight. NASA (Clockwise from top) The team endures frigid early morning temperatures to prepare the unmanned aircraft for its second test flight; Phantom Eye is inspected before takeoff; the aircraft’s liquid hydrogen tanks are monitored leading up to the flight— Phantom Eye’s two modified Ford truck engines produce only water as a byproduct from the clean-burning hydrogen fuel.
Frontiers April 2013 Issue
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