Exclusive: Boeing Phantom Ray rides NASA 747

Watch as Boeing's newest UAV the Phantom Ray takes a ride on top of NASA's modified 747 shuttle carrier. This is the first time in history that something other than a space shuttle is on top of the plane. After completing this test flight, the plane would take the Phantom Ray to Edwards AFB for it's first flight. The chase plane behind the 747 is one of NASA's T-38's.

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Boeing
• Phantom
• Ray
• UAV
• NASA
• 747
• T-38
• Lambert
• Airport
• Stealth
• Fighter
• Unmanned
• Rare
• St.
• Louis
• Edwards
• AFB

[sneakerset]

This video is the 50 min. test spin at Lambert (on Mon.) ? The payload difference is kinda funny (36,500 for the ray vs. 178,000 for an orbiter). Hey,thanks for this video....and best wishes (from Palmdale,Ca.). Btw,do you mind if I sub. ?

[131stfwFAN]

@sneakerset

Thanks, I really want to visit the other branch of Phantom Works and Skunk works out there sometime. I got footage of it leaving to Edwards the following day, but conditions were horrible.

[TacairStationHQ]

Awesome job, FAN! You unlike anyone else I'm pretty sure, have spent endless hrs out in parking lots waiting for a rare spotting. And you nailed it!! :D High five.

At least one aviation blog in particular already has a posting on this event, but I wouldn't be surprised if you were the first public posting anywhere!

Good luck with your new cam ;) Looking forward to the next 4 yrs of plane spotting on this site... lol.

[131stfwFAN]

@TacairStationHQ

Well thank you very much! Boeing helped me a little on this one though with a news release, you just have to put two and two together.

I got more footage today of it leaving, although now it's starting to snow, so the conditions were not so great.

[sneakerset]

@131stfwFAN You'd enjoy it. Conditions: It's 72, and sunny outside. ANG and AF guys are always stopping by (the assault strip off 25/Plant 42)...so there's usually plenty of action. It's a company town. (Google) the map...and check Ave. P (south side of Plant 42). That's one of the fastest surface streets in SoCal (65+)..and the lights are timed for the shifts.How cool is that,huh? 14 south runs right to Santa Clarita ( Magic Mountain)and the coast (Santa Monica and the beach bikeway).

[MOMOf333SP]

I watched it leave ... Boeing Phantom Ray UAV piggybacked to NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft modified 747 taking off from Lambert International Airport St. Louis on its way to Dryden Flight Research Center in California at Edwards Air Force Base for testing

[TacairStationHQ]

@131stfwFAN

Now only if NASA could make a 3rd seat for you in that T-38 chase plane!

[allthatiswithinme]

That's cool!

[f4s4ever]

How in the world do you be knowing about this stuff?

[jaba149]

Good catch!