AeroVironment Global Observer
AeroVironment · United States · first flew 2010 · reconnaissance aircraft
The AeroVironment Global Observer is a large hydrogen-powered high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft designed to serve as a persistent stratospheric communications and surveillance platform.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 21.34 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Hydrogen-fuelled high-altitude long-endurance UAV
- Very large high-aspect-ratio straight wing
- Four piston engines burning liquid hydrogen
Identified by its enormous straight high-aspect-ratio wing spanning 53 metres, four small propeller engines distributed along the wing, and a very slender fuselage — superficially resembling a scaled-up solar UAV.
Specifications
- The AeroVironment Global Observer has a length of 21.34 m (70 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 53 m (174 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 185 km/h (115 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed under DARPA and US Army funding, the Global Observer made its first flight in 2010 and demonstrated multi-day endurance at high altitude using liquid hydrogen fuel. The programme was ultimately cancelled after two aircraft were built.
Variants
Two prototypes (GO-1 and GO-2) were constructed; GO-2 was destroyed in a crash. No production variant was developed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; served as a technology demonstrator for HALE hydrogen propulsion.
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