British solar-powered UAV flies further than any before
11 September 2007

The Zephyr high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), an ultra-lightweight solar-powered aircraft, has smashed the world record for the longest duration unmanned flight.

Technology company QinetiQ, the UK-based defence firm which developed the Zephyr, said it flew non-stop for 54 hours. The official Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) world record for unmanned flight presently stands at 30 hours 24 minutes. It was set by a Global Hawk in March 2001.

The Zephyr is said to have beaten the record during trials at the US military's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. But, the company said, because there was no FAI official present at White Sands, the time might not stand as an official world record.

A QinetiQ spokesman said the FAI, which maintains aviation world records, was not informed about the flight because it was not specifically a world record attempt, but part of a development programme.

Launched by hand, the Zephyr is described as an ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre aircraft with a wingspan measuring up to 18 metres (59ft), but weighing just 30kg (66lb). During the daytime it flies on solar power and by night it is driven by rechargeable lithium-sulphur batteries that are recharged during the day using solar power.



Other reports on Aerospace