Proteus, A High-Altitude, Multi-Mission
Aircraft
MOJAVE, CA (September 23, 1998) -This morning Aerospace
Officials from Industry and Government witnessed the unveiling
of a new, special-purpose aircraft in a dramatic flight
demonstration at the Mojave Airport Civilian Flight Test
Center. Proteus* is the latest project from Scaled Composites,
the prolific California desert based aerospace research
company that has developed over 30 original aircraft types.
This inaugural event allowed Scaled to demonstrate the
unique performance and flight characteristics of the Proteus,
and gave attendees a chance to view the airplane up close
for the first time.
The Proteus designed with long wings and a low wing loading
needed for efficient high altitude loiter, showed grace,
stability, and low noise during its demonstration. The
flight also included dynamic maneuvers showing the aircraft's
agility, needed to operate in adverse conditions. The
crisp, short takeoff and landing illustrated the unique
"three-mains" landing gear design intended to
increase crosswind and wet runway capability without the
use of spoilers. Also displayed was the Proteus graphite
composite cabin test component. This structure, which
incorporates several new design concepts, had recently
been tested to 3.5 times the required operating cabin
pressure.
Since the 1.7-hour first flight of Proteus on 26 July,
the aircraft has been flown twelve flights, for a total
flight time of 18 hours. During this time, Proteus has
flown as high as 36,000 feet and demonstrated speeds from
stall speed, as low as 65 knots (75 mph), to 250 Knots
(288 mph). Takeoff weights up to 9000 pounds have been
demonstrated, and the maneuvering envelope has been opened
to 2.5 g. Cabin pressurization system tests are now in
work, which will allow pressurized flights to begin soon.
This will allow expansion of the altitude envelope while
providing for the crew's safety.
Proteus is a twin turbofan high altitude multi mission
aircraft powered by Williams International FJ44-2E engines.
It is designed to carry payloads in the 2000-pound class
to altitudes above 60,000 feet and remain on station up
to 14 hours. Heavier payloads can be carried for shorter
missions. It is intended for piloted as well as for UAV
missions. Potential missions for Proteus include telecommunications,
reconnaissance, atmospheric research, commercial imaging,
and space launch.
(Return to Proteus project
page)
