DARKSTAR FLIES

Internet UFO Group Media Archive

From:thomsona@netcom.com (Allen Thomson)
Title:DARKSTAR FLIES
Source:BUSINESS WIRE
Date:March 29, 1996


PALMDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 1996--

[EXCERPTS AND PARAPHASES]

The Tier III Minus DarkStar High Altitude Endurance Unmanned Aerial

Vehicle (UAV) successfully completed its first flight Friday [at Edwards

AFB].

The system successfully executed a fully automated flight from

takeoff to landing utilizing the differential Global Positioning

System (GPS).

At the completion of t[he initial program], the system will be

prepared for a series of technical demonstrations with the Services.

The program is pointing toward participating in Roving Sands '97 in May

1997.

The DarkStar system is a [stealthy] high altitude endurance UAV

optimized for reconnaissance in highly defended areas. It will operate

within the current military force structure and with the existing command,

control, communications, computer and intelligence equipment. It

can operate at a range of 500 nautical miles and stay on station for

greater than eight hours at an altitude greater than 45,000 feet.

The air vehicle can carry either [a high resolution] SAR or EO

payload.

The DarkStar program is managed by DARPA on behalf of DARO. The

prime contractor team consists of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works,

Palmdale, Calif.; Boeing Military Aircraft Division, Seattle; and

Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space, Sunnyvale, Calif.