A SECRET laboratory run by aviation giants Boeing is about to unveil the world’s first combat role SPACE PLANE, according to online experts.
Last night Boeing’s Phantom Works advanced defence arm teased a picture of the new aircraft covered in a black cloth claiming it was about to “change future air power.”
Using only the covered silhouette as a guide aviation experts were quick to speculate the plane would be an electrical aircraft that has “vertical takeoff and landing” (VTOL) capabilities.
But others were adamant the new aircraft looked like ‘a derivative of Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dreamchaser orbiter’ - a space-faring aircraft design that has roots dating back to the dawn of manned spaceflight.
If the aircraft is space-capable it will indeed be a military game-changer.
Writing for new-tech site www.thedrive.com Tyler Rogoway said: “Boeing has also been chosen by the Pentagon's "bleeding edge" research and development arm DARPA to build a new revolutionary spaceplane-like system called the XS-1.
"It is possible that this aircraft has something to do with this program, even if it is just in a scaled down risk-reduction or technology demonstrator form.
“Boeing has a very unique past with reusable orbiter type space vehicles, having brought the X-37B to life for the Pentagon, and the company has an even longer history with the Space Shuttle.
“Boeing acquired the Space Shuttle's original manufacturer Rockwell in 1996. Maybe Boeing is going to attempt to field a very similar product aimed solely at the defense sector.”
In November this year Boeing completed the purchase of Aurora Flight Sciences Corp, which develops autonomous, electric-powered and long-flight-duration aircraft for its commercial and military businesses.
Aurora have a diverse portfolio of clients for its autonomous technology, including NASA and the US military.
In August this year Aurora Flight Sciences was awarded a £373 million contract from the U.S. Air Force that will run until 2025.
And last Wednesday, Aurora successfully completed a demonstration of the company’s autonomous helicopter.
This latest advancement would enable a solider on the ground to request a supply delivery via an autonomous helicopter from a handheld tablet. The VTOL capabilities eliminates the military’s need for runways.
Aurora have also been developing a LightningStrike drone that has VTOL capabilities and can also hover and travel at high speed.
Boeing have been developing its own VTOL aircraft, named the Phantom swift - and this latest unveiling could be a combination of aircraft from both companies.