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Boeing Gets $89M To Build Drone That Can Fly For 5 Years Straight

Posted by Soulskill on from the home-in-the-clouds dept.

coondoggie writes "One of the more unique unmanned aircraft concepts took a giant step toward reality this week when the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency inked an agreement with Boeing to build the SolarEagle, a plane capable of remaining at heights above 60,000ft for over five years. Boeing says the first SolarEagle under the $89 million contract could fly as early as 2014."

3 of 271 comments (clear)

  1. batteries... by martas · · Score: 5, Interesting

    i suppose one of the biggest challenges will be developing [lightweight] batteries that can function for 5 years while being dis/recharged every day... i.e. 1800 times. could be tough.

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    weinersmith
  2. Now, "Google Maps Live!" by Animats · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Wait until Google gets these. Google Maps could be updated in real time.

  3. Re:SEE! by blhack · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It's already *here*.

    That is absolutely fantastic news. Could you point me at a place where I could buy one?

    The reality is that the derivative technologies are not always things like "we need to invent a solar panel", they're not even "we need to invent light composites", they're "we need to figure out a way of quickly producing these exotic materials on a large enough skill to fill the demand that the military is going to have for these.".

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    NewslilySocial News. No lolcats allowed.