A UK-built solar-powered plane has set an unofficial world endurance record for a flight by an unmanned aircraft. The Zephyr-6, as it is known, stayed aloft for more than three days, running through the night on batteries it had recharged in sunlight.
The flight was a demonstration for the US military, which is looking for new types of technology to support its troops on the ground. Craft like Zephyr might make ideal platforms for reconnaissance. They could also be used to relay battlefield communications.
Chris Kelleher, from UK defence and research firm QinetiQ, said Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer advantages over traditional aircraft and even satellites. “The principal advantage is persistence – that you would be there all the time,” he told BBC News. “A satellite goes over the same part of the Earth twice a day – and one of those is at night – so it’s only really getting a snapshot of activity. Zephyr would be watching all day.” [From BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Solar plane makes night flights]
Watching the development of unmanned aerial vehicles is fascinating. I can’t think of a more cost effective way of relaying communications or placing earth resources assets in place. The technology is rapidly becoming empowering as the weight/capability equation starts to bring projects into the frame that have sat outside just waiting for the right set of circumstances.
Here is another one I find interesting, it harks across to paramotoring of course but think of the benefits in disaster areas and on the battlefield.
Aug 29, 2008
It is an amazing breakthrough to have it in the air for so long on solar energy alone. Can’t imagine how much fuel can be saved if other small models would use the same technology and the opportunities that it opens
Aug 29, 2008
Gloria,
I agree, but unless there is a major breakthrough with cell technology payloads will be light for a while yet – but what a project eh?
Norman