A US Army and Boeing team completed the first flight of the first of four enhanced medium altitude reconnaissance and surveillance system (EMARSS) engineering, manufacturing and development aircraft on May 22.

The aircraft was in the air for more than four hours and completed all first-flight test objectives, including evaluation of aerodynamic handling qualities, aircraft systems performance, and autopilot functions.

The flight took place at the Beechcraft facility in Wichita, Kansas, following ground tests that included a high-speed taxi. This milestone is a key event on the path to Limited User Tests and the Milestone C low rate initial production decision.

EMARSS will provide the army the ability to detect, locate, classify, identify, and track surface targets in nearly all weather conditions, day or night, with a high degree of timeliness and accuracy.