for use on the RQ-4 Global Hawk. This pod is, by function of its length and frontal area, one of the largest payloads carried by Proteus to date. Actual flight testing of the MP-RTIP system began in late September 2006, with initial flight reaching and altitude. World records Proteus has set several world altitude records in FAI Class C-1e (Landplanes: takeoff weight ), Group 2, turbojet, including: Altitude: piloted by Mike Melvill and Robert Waldmiller, , October 25, 2000. Altitude in horizontal flight: piloted by Mike Melvill and Robert Waldmiller, , October 25, 2000. Altitude with payload: piloted by Mike Melvill and Robert Waldmiller, , October 27, 2000. Specifications (Proteus) See also References Notes Bibliography Jackson, Mark. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. . External links High-Speed Internet Access via Stratospheric HALO Aircraft Northrop Grumman Proteus marketing page Angels, HALOs and Atmospheric Networks MP-RTIP description Project descriptions NAST field deployment summary Twinjets Twin-boom aircraft Proteus Rutan aircraft 1990s United States special-purpose aircraft 1990s United States experimental aircraft Tandem-wing aircraft Unmanned aerial vehicles of the United States Meteorology research and field projects High-altitude and long endurance aircraft