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General Atomics’ Altus vehicle was used to verify technologies that will lead to a long-duration (12 to 72 hours), high-altitude vehicle capable of carrying a 330 pound science payload. The efforts include work on engine integration, flight operations techniques and procedures, lightweight structures, science payload integration, and science mission demonstration.

In October 1996, Altus set an endurance record for RPV’s carrying science payloads. The vehicle spent more than 24 hours at the required altitude during a Department of Energy atmospheric-radiation measurement experiment. Altus was modified to a dual turbocharger configuration and returned to flight test in the Spring of 1998. The dual turbo-charged aircraft accomplished flights of 3 hours above 55,000 feet altitude and 8 hours at 50,000 feet altitude in March, 1999.

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