Tue, Aug 12, 2008
City Council Approves Three-Year Hangar Lease
Boeing's unmanned A160T Hummingbird helicopter has legs... and
we're not just talking about its recent endurance record. The
program appears headed for a long future, with the company planning
to significantly expand its operations at Southern California
Logistics Airport (VCV) in Victorville.
The Victorville Daily Press reports the City Council recently
approved a three-year lease for Boeing at the airport. Under terms
of the deal, Boeing will pay the city $4,099 per month for the
first year's lease on Hangar 879 at the former military
installation. The rent will go up 3 percent for the second and
third years.
Boeing's exact plans for the almost 7,000-square-foot building
are classified... but Boeing spokesman Steve Mattei said the
company plans to use the extra room to expand the A160T program,
and continue development. Boeing already works from a number of
other buildings at VCV.
As ANN reported, in May the Hummingbird
established a new world endurance record for UAVs weighing between
1,102 and 5,511 lbs., of 18.7 hours. Boeing has tested the
Hummingbird in Victorville since 2002, under a Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency contract. The program has suffered two
minor crashes, including one last December.
"This has been an aggressive flight test program, and A160 has
made excellent progress," said DARPA program manager Phil Hunt.
"The result has been a steadily increasing level of confidence and
reliability."
Boeing plans for the Hummingbird to eventually fly up to 36,000
feet.
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