Model 281 Proteus

E90347

Model 281 Proteus is a high-altitude, long-endurance experimental aircraft developed by Scaled Composites for telecommunications, reconnaissance, and atmospheric research missions.


Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf experimental aircraft
high-altitude long-endurance aircraft
twin-boom aircraft
twin-turbofan aircraft
airframeMaterial composite materials
countryOfOrigin United States
crew 1 pilot
1 systems operator
2
designedFor high-altitude operations
long-duration missions
optionally unmanned operation potential
designer Burt Rutan
Scaled Composites NERFINISHED
developedIn late 1990s
endurance long-endurance
over 14 hours
engineConfiguration twin-engine
engineModel Williams FJ44-2 turbofan
engineType turbofan
firstFlight 1998-07-26
fuselageConfiguration central pod fuselage
twin-boom
landingGear retractable tricycle landing gear
manufacturer Scaled Composites NERFINISHED
maximumAltitude over 60,000 ft
maximumTakeoffWeight approximately 11,000 kg
mission aeronautical research
environmental monitoring
sensor testing
surveillance
telecommunications relay
numberBuilt 1
operator Scaled Composites NERFINISHED
primaryUser Scaled Composites NERFINISHED
propulsion jet-powered
purpose to serve as a multi-mission high-altitude platform
registration N281PR
role atmospheric research aircraft
high-altitude testbed
reconnaissance aircraft
telecommunications platform
status active testbed
experimental
tailConfiguration twin-tail
wingConfiguration high-aspect-ratio wing
variable-span wing with removable tips
wingspan approximately 77 m

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Scaled Composites
designed

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