Scaled Composites designed the air frame, and the engines were made by Williams Research/Rolls. It was designed by Burt Rutan. He has designed the
Raptor and Raptor D-2 high altitude RPVs for BMDO and the NASA ERAST program, a 40-meter wind generator for Zond, the X-35 for NASA and a tilt-body
UAV for Freewing, as well, just to name a few.
The Proteus has set 3 altitude world records. The craft reached a peak altitude of 62,786 feet and sustained horizontal flight of 61,919 feet. On a
second flight, Proteus reached a peak altitude of 55,878 feet while carrying a 1,000 kg (12,200 lb.) payload. All three records were set for aircraft
with gross weights of 12,500 lbs. or less.
It is currently being adapted by NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program. It can be modified to fit many roles,
and serves as an extreamly versitile high altitude aircraft.
Hope that was enough info, cmdr