Spy plane sets solar flight record
Spy plane sets solar flight record
2008-08-26Newsfeed
A spy plane built in Britain has set an unofficial record by staying in the air for three-and-a-half days powered by solar power.
A spy plane built in Britain has set an unofficial record by staying in the air for three-and-a-half days powered by solar power.
Defence company Qinetiq said the Zephyr - a high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle - exceeded the official world record of 30 hours 24 minutes set by Global Hawk in 2001.
The hand-launched Zephyr completed the test flight at the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona between July 28-31. A spokesman said the record was unofficial because the firm did not set out to fulfil necessary criteria to make it official.
By day it used solar power generated by amorphous silicon solar panels no thicker than sheets of paper that cover the aircraft's wings. At night it used lithium-sulphur batteries recharged by solar power during the day.
Spokesman Simon Bennett said: "The Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona was an appropriate setting for Zephyr's world-beating flight as many landmark aviation developments have taken place there in recent years.
"In addition to setting a new unofficial record, the trial is a step towards the delivery of Zephyr's capability for joint, real-time, battlefield persistent surveillance and communications to forces in the field at the earliest opportunity."
Copyright © The Press Association 2008
