Airbus unveils pioneering solar-powered drone

[rangerrebew]

Airbus unveils pioneering solar-powered drone
July 18, 2018
 

European air giant Airbus on Wednesday unveiled a solar-powered drone called Zephyr that will fly at a high altitude and fulfil the same functions as a satellite.

The project was presented at Britain's Farnborough airshow, where Airbus revealed that the Zephyr S took off on July 11 for its maiden flight from Arizona in the United States.

"This maiden flight of the Zephyr S aims to prove and demonstrate the aircraft capabilities," Airbus said in a statement.

https://techxplore.com/news/2018-07-airbus-unveils-solar-powered-drone.html?utm_source=menu&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=item-menu

[thackney]

Zephyr, which operates on the edge of space, already holds the world duration record at 14 days. Nigel Chandler, the head of sales for the solar electric powered vehicles, says that recent improvements will see the vehicle beat 100 days.

https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/farnborough/2018/07/16/airbus-marks-two-milestones-for-zephyr-solar-powered-drone/



https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/zephyr-s-high-altitude-pseudo-satellite-haps/

...The Zephyr S HAPS is powered by two solar-powered electric motors. The solar energy is generated by a combination of solar cells and high-power lithium-sulphur batteries. Each motor drives a two-bladed propeller mounted on the wings.

The UAV is capable of flying at altitudes of 70,000ft and can stay airborne for one month before landing. It can execute missions in air traffic and jet stream winds.

It is suitable for both line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) operations. The BLOS operation is enabled by a satellite communications system of low mass.

The UAV can also transmit real-time imagery, voice and data to areas covering 1,000km² over a long distance....