Global Observer Crashes at Edwards

Military Times is reporting that a Global Observer (GO-1) has crashed at Edwards AFB.  The Plane, built by AeroVironmental Inc.,went down at about 2:30am on April 1.  The location of the crash was, near the southwest corner of Rogers Dry Lakebed, according to a statement from the base.  The 412th Test Wing had been testing the Observer to assess the crafts potential government, civil and military uses.

It's manufacture AeroViromental Inc., has been working as of late on trying to make the aircraft fly at 65,000 feet for as long as a week.  At that altitude it could scan an area of 600 miles in diameter.  About 28,000 sq. miles, more than 1 1/2 times the size of Iraq.  No word on cause of the crash, but there were no injuries or property damage.

The Global Observer has a 175-foot wingspan, a little bit wider than a C-17 and weighs in about as much as a fully loaded sport-utility vehicle.

GO-1 Testing at Edwards AFB, CA.

 Flight Global's  Stephen Trimble reported, that AreoViroment has yet to demonstrate that the liquid-hydrogen-powered aircraft could fly more than 5 days  non-stop, this is short of the 7 days advertised.  With a $120 Million contract on the line and a four-year demonstration program scheduled to be completed on March 31. The pressure will be on, AreoViroment, who cannot afford many setbacks.  With competitors waiting in the wings. Boeing plans to demonstrate it's liquid hydrogen powered Phantom Eye later this year.  Northrop Grumman also aims to conduct a seven day flight with an RQ-4 Global Hawk, using mid-air refueling rather than liquid-hydrogen.

Full Military Times article found here.
Full FlightGlobal article found here.