After more than eight hours aloft, the aircraft landed safely back at Manching Air Base at 4:38 p.m.

ENGADGET: Northrop Grumman, Cassidian run Euro Hawk UAV through its first full test flight (video)

Central European time from Manching Air Base and climbed to a ceiling of 54, 000 feet within military controlled airspace, far above and at a safe distance from civilian air traffic.

ENGADGET: Northrop Grumman, Cassidian run Euro Hawk UAV through its first full test flight (video)