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St. Louis ceremony showcases 'Bird of Prey'

AFPN

Release Date: 10/21/2002

10/21/02 - ST. LOUIS (AFPN) -- The shroud of secrecy blanketing the aircraft responsible for many of today's stealth design and production standards was lifted Oct. 18 at a ceremony at The Boeing Company's plant here.

The previously classified "Bird of Prey," a technology demonstrator that pioneered breakthrough low-observable technologies and revolutionized aircraft design, was unveiled at the ceremony and will later be on display at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Developed by Boeing's Phantom Works, the Bird of Prey was among the first aircraft to feature large, single-piece composite structures, low-cost disposable tooling, and 3-D virtual reality design and assembly processes.

Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche gave thanks to the team that worked on the project.

"I am here to heap flattery on a bunch of kings," Roche said. "I am here to lead the applause for the fantastic team that built the Bird of Prey project, and may I salute you."

Senior leaders at The Boeing Company believe the Bird of Prey is a milestone of aviation and was a defining moment for their company.

"This is what we call defining the future of aerospace," said George Muellner, senior vice president of Air Force Systems for Integrated Defense Systems at Boeing. "It's a great day for those of us at Boeing, and my personal thanks to all of you who have worked on this project and contributed so much to it."

Boeing fully funded the $67 million project, which ran from 1992 through 1999. The Bird of Prey made 38 test flights, beginning in 1996.

The Bird of Prey is a single-seat aircraft. It is 47 feet long, with a 23-foot wingspan, weighs nearly 7,400 pounds, and is powered by a Pratt and Whitney JT15D-5C turbofan engine. The aircraft reached an operational speed of 260 knots at a maximum operating altitude of 20,000 feet.

The program was declassified because technologies it helped develop have become industry standards.