AeroVironment confirms successful test of Global Observer spy plane

LA Times
By W.J. Hennigan
January 11, 2011

Photo: Business Wire

Monrovia drone maker AeroVironment Inc. announced Tuesday that its massive robotic Global Observer aircraft successfully completed its first flight powered by a hydrogen-fueled propulsion system last week at Edwards Air Force Base.

The milestone marked the beginning of high-altitude, long-endurance flight testing of the plane for the U.S. military. The company is developing the drone to stay aloft for a week at a time at a 65,000 feet — vastly expanding the reach of military spy planes.

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