QinetiQ Files For Three World Records For Its Solar Powered UAV

The recent uninterrupted two-week flight by QinetiQ's Zephyr solar powered UAV has the company bidding for three world records. QinetiQ has filed with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) for ratification of a laundry list of achievements for its high-altitude long endurance (HALE) Unmanned Air System (UAS), including:

• The absolute duration record for an Unmanned Air Vehicle – being filed at 336 hrs, 22 minutes.
• The duration record for a UAV (in the U/1.c / 50-500Kg category) – time as above.
• The absolute altitude record for a UAV (in the above category) – being filed at 70,740ft (21,561m).

Zephyr Landing Following Two-Week Flight

Zephyr was launched at 0641 (MST) on July 9th, 2010 and stayed aloft for 14 nights (336 hrs / 22 minutes) above the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The aircraft was landed safely on the morning of July 23rd, having achieving all the objectives of the trial.

An official from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the world air sports federation, monitored every aspect of Zephyr’s progress at the Yuma Proving Ground from launch to safe landing. “We now await official FAI confirmation that we have met all necessary criteria,” stated Jon Saltmarsh, Zephyr Program Director. “This is a tremendous achievement, earning Zephyr a well deserved place in the record books and setting a significant milestone in aviation history.”

QinetiQ says Zephyr can be transported in a standard road transport container, and can remain above a general area continuously for weeks, if not months, delivering vital capability at a fraction of the cost of satellites and significantly more cost effectively than other "conventionally powered" manned or unmanned aircraft. Zephyr also does not need to return to base at regular intervals for re-fueling or servicing, which helps minimize the logistical supply chain, extending its operational capability. Its zero emissions also make it exceptionally environmentally friendly.

Zephyr Launch July 9th

During the Yuma trial, Zephyr carried a communications payload configured to meet the needs of the UK Ministry of Defence. In addition to the obvious defence and security applications, possible commercial uses include environmental research, monitoring crops and pollution, providing tactical intelligence over disaster zones or forest fires, and delivering mobile communications capabilities in remote areas.

“Zephyr ... is set to transform the delivery of current services such as communications, and lead to many new applications which are not possible or affordable by other means," said Chris Kelleher, QinetiQ’s chief designer. "We’ve now proved that this world-beating aircraft is capable of providing a cost effective, persistent surveillance and communications capability measured in terms of weeks, if not months.”

FMI: www.qinetiq.com, www.fai.org/