The Scaled Composites Model 281 Proteus is a tandem-wing high-endurance aircraft designed by Burt Rutan to investigate the use of aircraft as high altitude telecommunications relays. The Proteus is actually a multimission vehicle, able to carry various payloads on a ventral pylon. An extremely high-efficiency design, the Proteus can orbit a point at over 65,000 feet (about 20,000 metres) for more than 18 hours.

The Proteus wing was adapted for use on the Model 318 White Knight carrier aircraft, which is the launch system for Rutan's Tier One spacecraft and the DARPA X-37.

With the initial research complete, NASA is now using the Proteus to research new UAV technologies, as it can be controlled from the cockpit, a ground control station, or operate semi-autonomously. Scaled, in partnership with Northrop Grumman, is offering a fully unmanned version of the Proteus, labeled Model 395, as part of the competition for the USAF Hunter-Killer competition. If selected, that product would fly in 2007.

Specifications (Proteus)

General Characteristics

• Crew: two pilots
• Length: 56 ft 4 in (17.16 m)
• Wingspan: 77 ft 7 in (23.65 m)
• Height: 17 ft 7 in (5.37 m)
• Wing area (including canards): 487.7 ft² (44.5 m²)
• Empty: 5,900 lb (2,862 kg)
• Loaded: 12,500 lb (5,682 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Williams International FJ44-2 , 10.3 kN (2,300 lb) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 315 mph (504 km/h)
• Range: 480 miles (768 km)
• Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,293 m)
• Rate of climb: 6,000 ft/min (1,829 m/min)
• Wing loading: 26 lb/ft² (128 kg/m²)
• Thrust-to-Weight: 1:2.7

Related content

Related development: Scaled Composites Model 395

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: Model 281