Sun-Powered HALE Has Flown For Over A Week
Zephyr, a solar powered high-altitude long-endurance (HALE)
Unmanned Air System (UAS) has smashed a number of long-standing
world records by flying for over a week, according to QinetiQ,
which makes the aircraft.
As of 1440 UK time July 16th, the Zephyr, which was flying over
the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, surpassed the seven
day / 168 hour mark and the clock was at that time still running.
The achievement doubles the unofficial world record for longest
duration unmanned flight of 82 hours, 37 minutes set in 2008 and
already held by Zephyr, and is well in excess of the current
official world record of 30 hours 24 minutes set by Northrop
Grumman's RQ-4A Global Hawk on 22 March 2001.
As a bold statement of intent QinetiQ invited the Federation
Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the world air sports federation,
to oversee the flight and an FAI Official has been monitoring
progress at the Yuma Proving Ground. Zephyr’s world records
will not become official until the aircraft is safely back on the
ground.
The current goal is to fly through this week and prove Zephyr is
the world's first truly "eternal" plane, capable of providing a
low-cost, persistent surveillance capability over months rather
than days. Potential applications include earth observation and
communications relay in support of a range of defence, security and
commercial requirements.
QinetiQ says the current Zephyr aircraft draws on the latest
technology and represents a massive leap forward in engineering
excellence incorporating an entirely new wing design. “The
team has worked tirelessly over the past few years, making truly
significant leaps forward in overall design and construction - and
to see it successfully soar into the sky was fantastic,”
explained Jon Saltmarsh, Zephyr Programme Director. “By being
able to remain over a location for weeks or months at a time, it
can usefully deliver a host of practical and more affordable
solutions to both civil and military customers.”
Launched by hand, the aircraft flies by day on solar power
delivered by amorphous silicon solar arrays no thicker than sheets
of paper that cover the aircraft's wings. These are also used to
recharge the lithium-sulphur batteries, supplied by Sion Power Inc,
which are used to power the aircraft by night. Together they
provide an extremely high power to weight ratio on a continuous
day/night cycle, thereby delivering persistent on-station
capabilities.
Around 50% larger than the previous Zephyr, technical changes
now mean it has a wingspan of nearly 68 feet to accommodate more
batteries that are combined with a totally new integrated power
management system. The entirely new aerodynamic shape and high
“T” tail also contribute to reduce drag and improve
performance. The payload capacity will meet a number of key
surveillance and communication requirements already demonstrated by
Zephyr over the past three years. Zephyr’s ultra-lightweight
carbon-fibre design also means it weighs in at just over 50Kg.
Unlike conventional manned or unmanned aircraft now being
operated, Zephyr does not need to return to base at regular
intervals for re-fuelling or servicing which also helps minimise
the logistical supply chain and extend its operational
capability.