LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Proteus: Aircraft
built 660 days ago
Proteus is a twin turbofan high altitude multi mission aircraft powered by Williams International FJ44-2E engines. It is designed to carry payloads in the 2000-pound class to altitudes above 60,000 feet and remain on station up to 14 hours. Heavier payloads can be carried for shorter missions. It is intended for piloted as well as for UAV missions. Missions for Proteus include telecommunications, reconnaissance, atmospheric research, commercial imaging, and space launch.
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In each of 18 different scenarios, a Goodrich Skywatch HP Traffic Advisory System (TAS) on the Proteus detected approaching air traffic on potential collision courses, including several scenarios with two aircraft approaching from different directions. The remote pilot then directed Proteus to turn, climb or descend as needed to avoid the potential threat.
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The sky holds no limit for Proteus, which cruises higher than supersonic transports fly. Rutan envisions it as the ultimate high-altitude platform for telecommunications, reconnaissance and commercial imaging, work now done mostly by satellites. As a replacement for a telecommunications satellite, three Proteus aircraft would operate in tandem above a metropolitan area to provide 24-hour coverage of all types of cellular and digital services.
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