The Scaled Composites Model 281 Proteus is a tandem-wing High-Altitude Long Endurance aircraft designed by Burt Rutan to investigate the use of aircraft as high altitude telecommunications relays. The Proteus is actually a multi-mission vehicle, able to carry various payloads on a ventral pylon. An extremely efficient design, the Proteus can orbit a point at over 65,000 feet (19,800 m) for more than 18 hours. It is currently owned by Northrop Grumman.
General characteristics
Crew: Two (pilot and co-pilot)
Length: 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m)
Wingspan: 77 ft 7 in (23.65 m)
Height: 17 ft 8 in (5.38 m)
Wing area: 300.5 sq ft (27.92 m2)
Empty weight: 5,860 lb (2,658 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 12,500 lb (5,670 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Williams FJ44-2 turbofans, 2,293 lbf (10.20 kN) thrust each
Performance
Maximum speed: 313 mph (504 km/h; 272 kn)
Cruise speed: 219 mph (190 kn; 352 km/h) at 20000 ft
Endurance: 14 hours at 1,150 miles (1,850 km) from base
Service ceiling: 61,000 ft (18,593 m) mid-mission altitude
Rate of climb: 3,400 ft/min (17 m/s)
Source: WIkipedia