Boeing’s High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft has run a successful test. The hydrogen propulsion system of the aircraft was based on Ford’s 2.3-liter, four-cylinder hydrogen combustion engine.
The engine is same as the one Ford displayed in its Model U concept, but upgrades were made to make it capable of a high-flying machine. The engine ran for nearly four days in a controlled chamber including three days of simulated flight at 65,000 feet.
Ford’s engine came out with flying colors and even beat the optimists in its results. The engine showed great fuel economy, complete airflow and torque control across its operating range. HALE is designed to stay in the skies for upto seven days and carry payloads upto 2,000 pounds. The aircraft has obvious military and reconnaissance applications.
[Via: Green Car Congress]
