flight test envelope expansion and had been operating for nearly twice the endurance and at a higher altitude than previous flights when the crash occurred. At the time, the second aircraft developed as part of the JCTD program was nearing completion at a company facility; the $140 million program was originally scheduled for completion in late 2011, but the crash delayed this by a year. AeroVironment was looking for sources of incremental funding to provide a bridge between the demonstration and a future procurement program. In December 2012, the Pentagon closed the development contract for the Global Observer, the reason being the crash in April 2011. The Global Observer was used as a technology demonstration, not a program for a functioning aircraft. In April 2013, the Pentagon stated that no service or defense agency had advocated for it to be a program. AeroVironment is currently in possession of the second prototype Global Observer. On 6 February 2014, AeroVironment announced that it had teamed with Lockheed Martin to sell the Global Observer to international customers. The partnership is focused around building "atmospheric satellite systems" around the UAV. The Global Observer may compete for orders with the Boeing Phantom Eye liquid hydrogen-powered long endurance UAV. Specifications Endurance: 5–7 days Payload: Up to 400 lbs (180 kg) Operating altitude: Propulsion system: Liquid hydrogen-powered internal combustion power plant driving four high efficiency electric motors. The aircraft does not produce carbon emissions. Wing Span: Length: Launch/Recovery Method: Operate from conventional W X long paved runways (<4,200 ft takeoff and landing distance) Similar aircraft Vulture (UAV) QinetiQ Zephyr Boeing HALE Air Strato References External links Stratospheric Persistent UAS: Global Observer Edwards Air Force Base photo of Global Observer HALE UAS Unmanned aerial vehicles of the United States Aircraft first flown in 2010 Global Observer