The Boeing-developed Phantom Ray unmanned airborne system has successfully completed low-speed taxi tests at Lambert International Airport in St Louis, US.
During the taxi test, the Phantom Ray communicated with the ground control station, received its orders and made its way down the runway multiple times.
Boeing will ready Phantom Ray to travel to Edwards Air Force Base in California, US, aboard Nasa’s modified 747 shuttle carrier aircraft in preparation for high-speed taxi tests.
After the high-speed taxi tests, the airborne system will take its first flight.
Phantom Ray has been designed to support missions including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; suppression of enemy air defences; electronic attack; strike and autonomous aerial refuelling.