Navy continues UAV test flights over Potomac today

Friday, Oct. 3, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo Tom Horton, NSWC Dahlgren test engineer, prepares a ScanEagle UAV for flight. The ScanEagle flies by an onboard autopilot using commands sent from an operator and uses a wing hook to catch the arresting rope for recovery on the Potomac River Test Range. Weighing about 40 pounds, ScanEagle is five feet long and has a wingspan of just over 10 feet. It can safely fly up to 19,500 feet at a cruising speed of 50 knots. It is launched via a pneumatic wedge catapult launcher and flies missions via a GPS-based navigation. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Va., will conduct unmanned air vehicle flights over the Potomac River Test Range until Friday.

The UAV flights may occur at night during the three days of testing.

NSWC Dahlgren engineers may fire blank ammunition from vessels on the river during daylight hours.

Go towww.nswc.navy.mil⁄RANGE.

The Web site provides daily information about the operation and scheduling of activities at the Potomac River Test Range and the Pumpkin Neck explosive experimental area.