Airbus Zephyr: Difference between revisions
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| type = [[Atmospheric satellite|high-altitude platform station]] |
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| national origin = United Kingdom |
| national origin = United Kingdom |
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| manufacturer = [[Airbus Defence and Space]] |
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| design group = initially [[Qinetiq |
| design group = initially [[Qinetiq]] |
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| first flight = December 2005<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/energetic-qinetiq/68321.article |title= Energetic Qinetiq |date= 11 July 2006 |author= Craig Hoyle |work= flightglobal}}</ref> |
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| introduction = 2024 (planned)<ref name=Flight6jan2023/> |
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The '''Zephyr''' is a series of [[Atmospheric satellite|high-altitude platform station]] aircraft produced by [[Airbus]]. <!--Development--> They were designed originally by [[QinetiQ]], a commercial offshoot of the [[UK Ministry of Defence]].<!--BBC24jun2003--> In July 2010, the Zephyr 7 flew for 14 days. In March 2013, the project was sold to [[Airbus Defence and Space]]. In the summer of 2022, the Zephyr 8/S flew for 64 days. |
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The '''Airbus Zephyr''' is a series of lightweight [[solar-powered]] [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAV). The latest model is a [[Atmospheric satellite|high-altitude platform station]] capable of flying at {{Convert|70,000|ft}} for months at a time without fueling. It has a wingspan of {{Convert|25|m}} and weighs {{Convert|75|kg}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Wang|first=Brian|date=October 23, 2021|title=Airbus Solar Powered Aircraft Can Fly for 18 Days And Replace 250 Cell Towers|url=https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2021/10/173564.html|access-date=2021-10-25|website=NextBigFuture.com|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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<!--Design--> |
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The [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s are powered by [[solar cell]]s, recharging [[Electric battery|batteries]] in daylight to stay aloft at night. The latest Zephyr 8/S weighs {{cvt|60|kg}}, has a wingspan of {{cvt|25|m}}, can reach {{cvt|76,100|ft|order=flip}} and can lift a {{cvt|5|kg}} payload for months. They can be used for [[Cellular network|mobile phone coverage]], [[environmental monitoring]], military [[reconnaissance]] or as a [[Radio repeater|communications relay]]. |
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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=== Zephyr 3 === |
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The Zephyr was originally designed and built in 2003 by the [[United Kingdom|British]] Defence contractor [[QinetiQ]].<ref name="BBC20030624">{{Cite news | last = Amos | first = Jonathan | title =Strato-plane looks forward | work = BBC News | date =24 June 2003 | quote=British engineers are preparing to push the limits of aeroplane technology | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3016082.stm}}</ref> |
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In a |
In 2003, [[QinetiQ]], a commercial offshoot of the [[UK Ministry of Defence]], was planning to fly its Zephyr 3 up to 40 km at {{cvt|70|m/s|km/h kn}}, after being released from a [[high-altitude balloon]] at 9 km, besting the [[NASA Helios]] which had reached 29 km.<ref name=BBC24jun2003/> It was envisionned as an alternative to [[space satellite]]s, stationed permanently in the [[stratosphere]] for [[environmental monitoring]], [[Cellular network|mobile phone coverage]] or [[military]] applications.<ref name=BBC24jun2003>{{Cite news |last= Amos |first= Jonathan |title= Strato-plane looks forward |work= BBC News |date= 24 June 2003 |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3016082.stm }}</ref> The [[QinetiQ 1]] balloon altitude record attempt failed in 2003.<ref name=Flight22feb2005/> |
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In February 2005, Qinetiq was preparing a demonstration above 30,000 ft for the UK Ministry of Defence at the [[Woomera Test Range]] in Australia, for [[reconnaissance]] or as a [[Radio repeater|communications relay]].<ref name=Flight22feb2005>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/uks-zephyr-uav-to-be-tested-for-military-role/59002.article |title= UK's Zephyr UAV to be tested for military role |date= 22 February 2005 |work= Flight International |author= Craig Hoyle }}</ref> |
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The Zephyr 7 holds the official endurance record for an unrefuelled, unmanned aerial vehicle with its flight from 9 to 23 July 2010, lasting 336 hours, 22 minutes and 8 seconds (14 days, 22 min, 8 s). It could remain airborne for months thanks to its solar cells and rechargeable batteries.<ref name="BBC20100723">{{Cite news | last = Amos | first = Jonathan | title ='Eternal plane' returns to Earth |work= BBC News | date = 23 July 2010 | url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10733998}}</ref><ref name=FAIno16052/><ref>{{Cite news|title = UK drones to spy from the stratosphere {{!}} The Times|url = http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/defence/article4681057.ece?shareToken=d412914110850b19843304b1f1a4f307 |website = The Times|access-date = 4 February 2016|last1 = Haynes|first1 = Deborah}}</ref> Record claims have been verified by the [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)]] for both duration<ref name="FAIno16052">{{cite web |url=http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=16052 |title=FAI Record ID No. 16052 |publisher=[[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale]] |access-date=4 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140404201147/http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=16052 |archive-date=4 April 2014}}</ref> and altitude, at 21,562 metres. It more than doubled the previous endurance record for unmanned flight.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hanlon |first=Mike |title=QinetiQ Zephyr solar powered unmanned aircraft to land after 14 days aloft |url=http://www.gizmag.com/qinetiq-zephyr-solar-unmanned-aircraft-14-days-aloft/15812/ |publisher=GizMag |access-date=4 December 2012 |date=23 July 2010}}</ref><ref name="BBC20100717">{{Cite news | last = Amos | first = Jonathan | title = Zephyr solar plane flies 7 days non-stop | work =BBC News | date =17 July 2010 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10664362}}</ref><ref name="BBC20100714">{{Cite news | last = Amos | first = Jonathan | title = Zephyr solar plane set for record endurance flight | work =BBC News | date = 14 July 2010 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10629313}}</ref> |
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=== Zephyr 6 === |
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The Zephyr system was sold to [[EADS Astrium]] (now [[Airbus Defence and Space]]) in March 2013, where it was successfully re-flown as part of the [[High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite]] (HAPS) programme.<ref name="Airbus20130923">{{cite web |url=http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/news2/first-flight-of-astrium-s-zephyr-solar-haps.html |title=First flight of Astrium's Zephyr solar HAPS |publisher=[[Airbus]] |access-date=31 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005205329/http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/news2/first-flight-of-astrium-s-zephyr-solar-haps.html |archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/newsroom/news-and-features/united-kingdom-ministry-of-defence-places-order-for-two-solar-powered-airbus-zephyr-8s/ |title=United Kingdom Ministry of Defence places order for two solar-powered Airbus Zephyr 8s |publisher=[[Airbus]] |access-date=13 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113104711/https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/newsroom/news-and-features/united-kingdom-ministry-of-defence-places-order-for-two-solar-powered-airbus-zephyr-8s/ |archive-date=13 January 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Between 28 and 31 July 2008, in a demonstration for the US military at its [[Yuma Proving Ground]] in Arizona, the Zephyr 6 flew for 82 hours and 37 minutes, an unofficial record as the [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|FAI]] wasn't involved.<ref name=BBC24aug2008>{{Cite news | last = Amos | first = Jonathan | title = Solar plane makes record flight |work= BBC News | date =24 August 2008 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7577493.stm}}</ref> |
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In 2014 it flew for 11 days in winter,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11064789/Fly-11-days-non-stop-Now-thats-long-haul.html | newspaper=Daily Telegraph | title= Fly 11 days non-stop? Now that's long-haul | first= Alan | last= Tovey | date=31 August 2014}}</ref> and later near civilian airspace.<ref name=bel1>Bellamy, Woodrow III. "[http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/topstories/Airbus-Zephyr-Proves-Value-For-Civil-Operations-in-Middle-East_83186.html Airbus Zephyr Proves Value For Civil Operations in Middle East]", ''[[Aviation Today]]'', 1 October 2014. Accessed: 2 October 2014.</ref> |
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=== Zephyr 7 === |
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In November 2015, in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], British prime minister [[David Cameron]] laid out plans during the [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015]], to enhance Great Britain's [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance]] (ISTAR) capacity. He stated that the UK was to field a "British-designed unmanned aircraft that will fly at the edge of the Earth's atmosphere and allow us to monitor our adversaries for weeks on end, providing critical intelligence for our armed forces." A purchase of two Zephyr 8 planes was reported in February 2016.<ref name=BBC-1602>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35478489 |title=MoD to buy high-flying solar planes |date=2 February 2016 |via=www.bbc.com}}</ref> In August 2016 [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] confirmed the purchase of a third Zephyr 8 platform.<ref>{{cite news |title=MOD buys third record-breaking UAV |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-buys-third-record-breaking-uav |access-date=17 August 2016 |agency=UK MOD |date=17 August 2016}}</ref> |
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On 23 July 2010, the Zephyr 7 took the [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|FAI]]-sanctioned [[Flight endurance record|duration record]] after a 336 hours (14 days), 22 min and 8 s flight,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.fai.org/record/16052 |title=FAI Record ID No. 16052 |date=16 October 2017 |quote= Absolute Record of class U (Experimental / New Technologies) for Duration |publisher=[[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|FAI]] }}</ref> reaching {{cvt|21,562|m}}.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.fai.org/record/18683 |title=FAI Record ID No. 18683 |date=29 August 2018 |quote= Record of class U (Experimental / New Technologies) for True altitude |publisher=[[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|FAI]] }}</ref> It exceeded the nine days (216 hours) of the 1986 round-the-world flight of the [[Rutan Voyager]].<ref>{{Cite news | last = Amos | first = Jonathan | title ='Eternal plane' returns to Earth |work= BBC News | date = 23 July 2010 | url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10733998}}</ref> |
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In summer 2018 for its maiden flight from Arizona, the Zephyr S remained aloft for 25 days 23 hours 57 minutes, nearly twice as long as the previous record flight of 14 days set by its predecessor.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-sets-flight-endurance-record-with-zephyr-uav-451006/ |title= Airbus sets flight endurance record with Zephyr UAV |date= 8 August 2018 |author= Dan Thisdell |work= Flightglobal }}</ref> It used Amprius [[Lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion batteries]] with [[silicon nanowire|silicon]] [[Nanowire battery|nanowire]] anodes for a 435 Wh/kg [[specific energy]] up from 300–320 Wh/kg.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/future-aerospace/record-breaking-zephyr-s-battery-holds-evtol-potential |title= Record-Breaking Zephyr's Battery Holds eVTOL Potential |date= 13 December 2018 |author= Graham Warwick |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref> High-efficiency, lightweight, and flexible inverted metamorphic (IMM) multi-junction epitaxial lift-off (ELO) [[GaAs]] solar cell sheets manufactured by [http://www.mldevices.com/ MicroLink Devices] provided the solar power with specific powers exceeding 1,500 W/kg and areal powers greater than 350 W/m<sup>2</sup>.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Devices |first=MicroLink |title=MicroLink Devices Powers Successful Stratospheric Flight of Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr S HAPS Solar Aircraft |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microlink-devices-powers-successful-stratospheric-flight-of-airbus-defence-and-space-zephyr-s-haps-solar-aircraft-300732214.html |access-date=2020-09-02 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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In |
In March 2013, the project was sold to [[EADS Astrium]] (now [[Airbus Defence and Space]]).<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/news2/first-flight-of-astrium-s-zephyr-solar-haps.html |title=First flight of Astrium's Zephyr solar HAPS |publisher=[[Airbus]] |date= 25 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005205329/http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/news2/first-flight-of-astrium-s-zephyr-solar-haps.html |archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref> |
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In 2014 it flew for 11 days in the short days of winter whilst carrying a small payload for the British Ministry of Defence,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11064789/Fly-11-days-non-stop-Now-thats-long-haul.html |newspaper= [[Daily Telegraph]] |title= Fly 11 days non-stop? Now that's long-haul | first= Alan | last= Tovey | date=31 August 2014}}</ref> and later near civilian airspace.<ref>{{cite news |author= Woodrow Bellamy III |url= https://www.aviationtoday.com/2014/10/01/airbus-zephyr-proves-value-for-civil-operations-in-middle-east/ |title= Airbus Zephyr Proves Value For Civil Operations in Middle East |work= Avionics Today |publisher= Access Intelligence LLC |date= 1 October 2014}}</ref> |
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In July 2022, Zephyr S spent 26 days airborne, breaking its previous record from 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62123819 | title=Zephyr breaks own record for longest unmanned flight | publisher=BBC News |access-date=13 July 2022 }}</ref> The flight began on 15 June in [[Arizona]], and by 22 July the plane was still flying after being aloft for 36 days. It marked the Zephyr's first venture into international airspace and over water, and its longest continuous flight using satellite communication controls.<ref name="defensenews22july22">[https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2022/07/22/up-up-and-away-airbus-zephyr-drone-breaks-flight-record-high-above-arizona/ Up, up and away: Airbus’ Zephyr drone breaks flight record high above Arizona]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 22 July 2022.</ref> By 5 August, it had reached 50 days of continuous flight.<ref>[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/armys-zephyr-drone-is-still-aloft-after-50-days Army’s Zephyr Drone Is Still Aloft After 50 Days]. ''The Drive/The War Zone''. 5 August 2022.</ref> On 19 August 2022, the plane was lost over a desert in Arizona with no personal injury reported after a flight time of 64 days.<ref name=``SF20220822``>[https://simpleflying.com/airbus-zephyr-flight-ends/ The Airbus Zephyr Comes Crashing Down In Arizona] ''Simple Flying''. Retrieved 22 August 2022.</ref> It flew over the southern United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and South America, covering a distance of 30,000 nmi (35,000 mi, 56,000 km) during the course of the flight.<ref>[https://newatlas.com/aircraft/zephyr-8-mission-ends-abruptly-record-breaking-endurance-flight/ Unexpected end to Zephyr 8's record-smashing 64-day endurance flight]. ''New Atlas''. 24 August 2022.</ref> |
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=== Zephyr 8/S === |
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In February 2016, the [[UK Ministry of Defence]] purchased two Zephyr 8 planes.<ref name=BBC2Feb2016>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35478489 |title=MoD to buy high-flying solar planes |date=2 February 2016 |work= BBC}}</ref> In August 2016, a third was purchased.<ref>{{cite press release |title=MOD buys third record-breaking UAV |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-buys-third-record-breaking-uav |publisher= UK MOD |date=17 August 2016}}</ref> |
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In 2016, a twin-tailed Zephyr T variant, providing a maritime surveillance and communications capability, was scheduled for flight testing in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Farnborough 2016: Airbus releases Zephyr T details, outlines CONOPS for systems |url=http://www.janes.com/article/62274/farnborough-2016-airbus-releases-zephyr-t-details-outlines-conops-for-systems |publisher=Janes |date=14 July 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160825180252/http://www.janes.com/article/62274/farnborough-2016-airbus-releases-zephyr-t-details-outlines-conops-for-systems |archive-date=25 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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In summer 2018, for its maiden flight from Arizona, the Zephyr S remained aloft for 25 days 23 hours 57 minutes, nearly twice as long as the previous record flight of 14 days set by its predecessor.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-sets-flight-endurance-record-with-zephyr-uav-451006/ |title= Airbus sets flight endurance record with Zephyr UAV |date= 8 August 2018 |author= Dan Thisdell |work= Flightglobal }}</ref> |
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By October 2021, it had flown 2,435 hours.<ref name=AeroTest15oct2021>{{cite news |last1=Sampson |first1=Ben |title= Airbus Zephyr breaks more aviation records during flight testing |url= https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news/flight-testing/airbus-zephyr-breaks-more-aviation-records-during-flight-testing.html |website=Aerospace Testing International |date= 15 October 2021}}</ref> |
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On 15 June 2022, the Zephyr S took off in [[Arizona]], venturing for the first time into international airspace and over water.<ref name=defensenews22july22>{{Cite news |last=Buchaniec |first=Catherine |date=2022-07-22 |title=Up, up and away: Airbus' Zephyr drone breaks flight record high above Arizona |url=https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2022/07/22/up-up-and-away-airbus-zephyr-drone-breaks-flight-record-high-above-arizona/ |website=Defense News }}</ref> On 19 August, the plane was lost over the Arizona desert after a flight time of 64 days.{{cn|date=June 2024}} It covered 56,000 km over the southern United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and South America.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://newatlas.com/aircraft/zephyr-8-mission-ends-abruptly-record-breaking-endurance-flight/ |title= Unexpected end to Zephyr 8's record-smashing 64-day endurance flight |work= New Atlas |date= 24 August 2022}}</ref> |
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The aircraft was lost when one engine component (redesigned since) failed in an unusual high-altitude storm turbulence at 17 km.<ref name=Flight6jan2023/> |
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By early 2023, Airbus planned to launch operations from the end of 2024 with around 18 aircraft.<ref name=Flight6jan2023/> |
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By 2034, a 1,000 aircraft constellation could cover 2.9 billion people, and would provide emergency 4G/5G following natural disasters.<ref name=Flight6jan2023/> |
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The larger Zephyr variant, with twice the payload capacity, is expected for 2026.<ref name=Flight6jan2023>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/airbus-readies-high-flying-zephyr-for-2024-service-launch/151546.article |title= Airbus readies high-flying Zephyr for 2024 service launch |author= Craig Hoyle |date= 6 January 2023 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref> |
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=== Commercial services === |
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In January 2023, the Aalto HAPS company was set up by Airbus to sell its mobile connectivity and earth observation services.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news/drones-air-taxis/airbus-brands-stratospheric-drone-zephyr-business-as-aalto.html |title= Airbus brands stratospheric drone business as Aalto |author= Ben Sampson |date= 23 January 2023 |work= Aerospace testing international}}</ref> |
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In June 2024, a Japanese consortium led by [[NTT Docomo]] and [[Space Compass]] committed to invest USD$100m in AALTO to commercialise connectivity HAPS services in Asia, targeting a 2026 introduction.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.aaltohaps.com/news/ntt-docomo-and-space-compass-partners-with-airbus-on-haps-committing-to-a-usd-100-million-investment-in-aalto |date= 3 June 2024 |title= NTT DOCOMO and Space Compass partners with Airbus on HAPS, committing to a USD$100 million investment in AALTO |publisher= AALTO}}</ref> |
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==Design== |
==Design== |
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The Zephyr 6 is of [[Carbon fiber|carbon-fibre]] construction and uses sunlight to charge a [[lithium–sulphur battery]] during the day, which powers the aircraft at night. The aircraft has been designed for use in observation and communications relay.<ref name="r235">{{Cite news |last=QinetiQ Group |author-link=QinetiQ |title=Zephyr – QinetiQ High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) |date=14 September 2008 |url=http://www.qinetiq.com/home/products/zephyr.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080826234154/http://www.qinetiq.com/home/products/zephyr.html |archive-date=26 August 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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=== Zephyr 3 === |
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The vehicle can circle over a particular area for extended periods, with particular emphasis on its potential civil and military applications as an Earth-observation and communications platform. During the day, Zephyr uses its solar cells spread across its wings to recharge high-power lithium–sulphur batteries and drive two propellers. At night, the energy stored in the batteries is sufficient to maintain Zephyr in the sky. The lithium–sulphur batteries are supplied by Sion, and the first version had a battery capacity of 3 kW·h.<ref name="r_zephyr_2010_07_16">{{Cite news |last=QinetiQ Group |author-link=QinetiQ |title=QinetiQ's Zephyr solar powered unmanned aircraft soars to new world records |date=16 July 2010 |url=http://www.qinetiq.com/home/newsroom/news_releases_homepage/2010/3rd_quarter/zephyr_2010.html |access-date=17 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723052110/http://www.qinetiq.com/home/newsroom/news_releases_homepage/2010/3rd_quarter/zephyr_2010.html |archive-date=23 July 2010 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bush |first=Steve |title=Inside Qinetiq's Zephyr solar powered plane |url=http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/28/09/2007/42280/Inside-Qinetiq39s-Zephyr-solar-powered-plane.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122114457/http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/28/09/2007/42280/Inside-Qinetiq39s-Zephyr-solar-powered-plane.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 January 2013 |publisher=Electronics weekly |access-date=4 December 2012 |date=28 September 2007}}</ref> |
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The {{cvt|12|m}} wide aircraft had a carbon composite frame to weigh {{cvt|12|kg}}, and 1 kW of [[solar cell]]s powering five motors.<ref name=BBC24jun2003/> |
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Zephyr 7 was larger, at 53 kg,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10742411 | work=BBC News | title=Wing-to-tail guide to Zephyr, the 'eternal' plane | date=23 July 2010}}</ref> and capable of a maximum altitude between 65,000 and 70,000 feet,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/isr/2016/02/17/british-mod-acquires-solar-powered-zephyr-uav/80513364/ |title = British MoD Acquires Solar-Powered Zephyr UAV |date = 17 February 2016}}</ref> it required five ground crew to launch, as opposed to three previously for the Zephyr 6.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goodier |first=Rob |title=Solar Plane Aims for New Record: 3 Months Aloft Without a Pilot or Fuel |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/diy-flying/solar-plane-zephyr-uav-record |work=[[Popular mechanics]] |access-date=4 December 2012 |date=7 July 2010}}</ref> |
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=== Zephyr 6 === |
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The Zephyr 8 has roughly 24 kg of batteries and a 5 kg payload,<ref name=BBC-1602/> and is 30% lighter and carry 50% more batteries than the Zephyr 7.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dpaonthenet.net/article/112619/Ministry-of-Defence-places-order-for-two-solar-powered-Airbus-Zephyr-8s.aspx |title=Ministry of Defence places order for two solar-powered Airbus Zephyr 8s |website=www.dpaonthenet.net}}</ref> It has a 25-metre wingspan. By October 2021, it had flown 2,435 hours.<ref name=sampson1>{{cite web |last1=Sampson |first1=Ben |title=Airbus Zephyr breaks more aviation records during flight testing |url=https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news/flight-testing/airbus-zephyr-breaks-more-aviation-records-during-flight-testing.html |website=Aerospace Testing International |date=15 October 2021}}</ref> |
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The [[carbon fiber]] Zephyr 6 has a {{cvt|18|m}} span and weighs 30–34 kg (70 lb) for a 2 kg (4.5 lb) payload.<ref name=BBC24aug2008/> |
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Zephyr is under consideration for use as an airborne communication station, offering the possibility of replacing 250 [[Cell site|cell sites]].<ref name=":0" /> It can be used to perform [[intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance]] (ISR) with a wide visual payload coverage of 20×30 km (12.4×18.6 mi) and can be equipped with radar, [[LIDAR]] and infrared technologies.<ref name="defensenews22july22"/> |
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[[Amorphous silicon]] solar cells from [[Unisolar]] recharge [[lithium-sulphur batteries]] from [[Sion Corporation]] with twice the energy density of the best alternative, [[lithium polymer batteries]].<ref name=BBC24aug2008/> |
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Launched by hand, it can reach 18 km (60,000 ft).<ref name=BBC24aug2008/> |
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The first version had a battery capacity of 3 kW·h, driving two propellers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bush |first=Steve |title=Inside Qinetiq's Zephyr solar powered plane |url=https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/research-news/process-rd/inside-qinetiqs-zephyr-solar-powered-plane-2007-09/ |work=[[Electronics weekly]] |date=28 September 2007}}</ref> |
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=== Zephyr 7 === |
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Zephyr 7 was larger, at 53 kg,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10742411 | work=BBC News | title=Wing-to-tail guide to Zephyr, the 'eternal' plane | date=23 July 2010}}</ref> and capable of a maximum altitude between 20 and 21 km,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/isr/2016/02/17/british-mod-acquires-solar-powered-zephyr-uav/80513364/ |title = British MoD Acquires Solar-Powered Zephyr UAV |date = 17 February 2016}}</ref> it required five ground crew to launch, as opposed to three previously for the Zephyr 6.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goodier |first=Rob |title= Solar Plane Aims for New Record: 3 Months Aloft Without a Pilot or Fuel |url= https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/how-to/a5914/solar-plane-zephyr-uav-record/d |work=[[Popular mechanics]] |date=7 July 2010}}</ref> |
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=== Zephyr 8/S === |
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Designed to fly at {{cvt|65,000|ft|km|order=flip}} for more than a month, the {{cvt|25|m}} wide Zephyr 8 is 30% lighter and can lift 50% more batteries than the Zephyr 7.<ref name=Airbus18Feb2016>{{cite press release |url= https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2016-02-united-kingdom-ministry-of-defence-places-order-for-two-solar |title=United Kingdom Ministry of Defence places order for two solar-powered Airbus Zephyr 8s |publisher=[[Airbus]] |date= 18 February 2016}}</ref> |
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It weighs 60 kg, 40% of which are batteries ({{#expr:60*0.4}} kg), and the 5 kg payload can transmit video with a 50 cm resolution from above 20 km.<ref name=BBC2Feb2016/> |
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They should be able to operate year-round between [[40 degrees North]] and [[40th parallel south|South]], while [[winter]] operation gets more difficult at higher [[latitudes]].<ref name=BBC2Feb2016/> |
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It used Amprius [[Lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion batteries]] with [[silicon nanowire]] anodes for a 435 Wh/kg [[specific energy]] up from 300–320 Wh/kg.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/future-aerospace/record-breaking-zephyr-s-battery-holds-evtol-potential |title= Record-Breaking Zephyr's Battery Holds eVTOL Potential |date= 13 December 2018 |author= Graham Warwick |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref> Solar cells are high-efficiency, lightweight, and flexible inverted [[Solar_cell_research#Metamorphic_multijunction_solar_cell|metamorphic multi-junction]] epitaxial lift-off [[GaAs]] sheets manufactured by [[MicroLink Devices]], with specific power exceeding 1,500 W/kg and areal powers greater than 350 W/m<sup>2</sup>.<ref>{{Cite press release |author= MicroLink Devices |title= MicroLink Devices Powers Successful Stratospheric Flight of Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr S HAPS Solar Aircraft |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microlink-devices-powers-successful-stratospheric-flight-of-airbus-defence-and-space-zephyr-s-haps-solar-aircraft-300732214.html |date= Oct 17, 2018}}</ref> |
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One Zephyr can replace 250 [[cell phone tower]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/defence/uas/uas-solutions/zephyr |title= Zephyr |publisher= Airbus}}</ref> It can be used to perform [[intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance]] (ISR) with a wide visual payload coverage of 20×30 km (12.4×18.6 mi) and can be equipped with radar, [[LIDAR]] and infrared technologies.<ref name=defensenews22july22/> |
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Endurance is targeted for up to 200–300 days.<ref name=Flight6jan2023/> |
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An 8 kg (17.6 lb) mobile connectivity payload can serve up to 100,000 people on the ground.<ref name=Flight6jan2023/> |
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A 5 kg Airbus-developed [[Opaz optical sensor]] can deliver 18 cm-resolution imagery.<ref name=Flight6jan2023/> |
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==Specifications== |
==Specifications== |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
|+ Airbus-QinetiQ Zephyr<ref>{{cite web |url= https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2654/airbus-qinetiq-zephyr |title= Airbus-QinetiQ Zephyr |work= AviationsMilitaires.net}}</ref> |
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! Model !! Span !! Weight !! Ceiling !! Endurance !! Payload |
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|- |
|- |
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! Zephyr 4 |
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! Model |
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| 12 m (39 ft) || 17 kg (37 lb) ||| 9 140 m (30 000 ft) || 6 h || |
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! Zephyr 6 |
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! Zephyr 7 |
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! Zephyr 8 <br>(Zephyr S) |
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|- |
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! Payload |
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| |
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| {{convert|2.5|kg|abbr=on|disp=br()}} |
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| {{convert|5|kg|abbr=on|disp=br()}} |
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|- |
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! Batteries |
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| |
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| |
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| {{convert|24|kg|lb|abbr=on|disp=br()}} Amprius lithium-ion |
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|- |
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! Solar technology |
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| |
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| Amorphous silicon |
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| Triple-junction inverted <br>metamorphic (IMM) epitaxial<br>lift-off (ELO) GaAs-based solar cells |
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|- |
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! Span |
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| |
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| {{convert|73|ft|10|in|abbr=on|disp=br()}} |
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| {{convert|25|-|28|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=br()}} |
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|- |
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! [[max takeoff weight]] |
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| |
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| {{convert|53|kg|abbr=on|disp=br()}} |
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| {{convert|75|kg|abbr=on|disp=br()}} |
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|- |
|- |
||
! Zephyr 5 |
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! Motors |
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| 16 m (52 ft) || 31 kg (68 lb) || 11 000 m (36 000 ft) || 18 h || |
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| |
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| 2× Newcastle University custom<br> [[Brushless AC electric motor|permanent-magnet synchronous motor]] |
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| |
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|- |
|- |
||
! |
! Zephyr 6 |
||
| 18 m (59 ft) || 30 kg (66 lb) || 18 300 m (60 000 ft) || 87 h || 2 kg (4.4 lb) |
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| |
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| {{cvt|0.45|kW}} each |
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| |
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|- |
|- |
||
! Zephyr 7 |
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! Cruise |
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| 22,5 m (74 ft) || 53 kg (117 lb) || 21 000 m (69 000 ft) || 336 h || 5 kg (11 lb) |
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| |
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| {{convert|30|kn|km/h|abbr=on|disp=br()}} |
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| |
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|- |
|- |
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! Zephyr 8/S |
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! Ceiling |
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| 25 m (82 ft) || 62-65 kg (137-143 lb) || {{cvt|76,100|ft|order=flip}}<ref name=AeroTest15oct2021/> || 624 h || 5 kg (11 lb) |
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| |
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| {{convert|70,741|ft|abbr=on|disp=br()}} |
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| {{convert|76,100|ft|abbr=on|disp=br()}}<ref name=sampson1/> |
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|- |
|- |
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! Zephyr T |
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! Endurance |
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| 32 m (105 ft) || 145 kg (320 lb) || || || 20 kg (44 lb) |
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| 3.4 days |
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| 14 days |
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| 64 days |
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|} |
|} |
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==Accidents and incidents== |
==Accidents and incidents== |
||
{{as of|2022|August|}}, three hull losses have been reported: |
{{as of|2022|August|}}, three hull losses have been reported: |
||
* March 2019, Wyndham, Western Australia<ref name= |
* March 2019, Wyndham, Western Australia<ref name=ATSB28Sep2020>{{cite web |title=In-flight break-up involving Airbus Zephyr unmanned aerial vehicle, near Wyndham Airport, Western Australia, on 28 September 2019 |url=https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2019/aair/ao-2019-056/ |publisher=Australian Transport Safety Bureau |date= 28 Sep 2020}}</ref> |
||
* 28 September 2019, Wyndham, Western Australia, during the first flight after the first incident in March 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.9news.com.au/national/news-wa-outback-aviation-incident-linked-to-uk-ministry-of-defence/9419a3a8-532a-4804-921b-8b492b8c068a |title = Outback aviation incident linked to UK Ministry of Defence}}</ref><ref name= |
* 28 September 2019, Wyndham, Western Australia, during the first flight after the first incident in March 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.9news.com.au/national/news-wa-outback-aviation-incident-linked-to-uk-ministry-of-defence/9419a3a8-532a-4804-921b-8b492b8c068a |title = Outback aviation incident linked to UK Ministry of Defence |work= 9News |date= 12 Apr 2019}}</ref><ref name=ATSB28Sep2020/> |
||
* 19 August 2022, Arizona, just before breaking the record for the longest flight of any aircraft (a total of 64 days) |
* 19 August 2022, Arizona, just before breaking the record for the longest flight of any aircraft (a total of 64 days){{cn|date=June 2024}} |
||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
{{Portal|Renewable energy|Aviation}} |
{{Portal|Renewable energy|Aviation}} |
||
* [[NASA Pathfinder]] |
* [[NASA Pathfinder]] (First flew in June 1983) |
||
* [[NASA Centurion]] (First flight 10 November 1998) |
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* [[Electric aircraft#Alan Cocconi and the SoLong|SoLong]] |
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* NASA/AeroVironment [[Helios Prototype]] (First flight 8 September 1999) |
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* [[Solar Impulse project]] |
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* [[Facebook Aquila]] (First flight 28 June 2016) |
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* [[DARPA Vulture|Vulture (UAV)]] |
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* SoftBank/AeroVironment [[HAPSMobile]] (First flight 11 September 2019) |
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* [[Air Strato]] |
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* [[BAE Systems PHASA-35]] (First flight 17 February 2020) |
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* [[Solar-powered aircraft]] |
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== Notes and references == |
== Notes and references == |
||
Line 141: | Line 151: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
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* {{official website|https://www.airbus.com/defence/ |
* {{official website|https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/defence/uas/uas-solutions/zephyr}} |
||
* {{cite news |url= http://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news.php?NewsID=92195 |title= Zephyr S high-altitude persistent drone could achieve 100-day flight during tests |date= 17 July 2018 |magazine= Aerospace Testing International |author= Ben Sampson}} |
* {{cite news |url= http://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news.php?NewsID=92195 |title= Zephyr S high-altitude persistent drone could achieve 100-day flight during tests |date= 17 July 2018 |magazine= Aerospace Testing International |author= Ben Sampson}} |
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Line 151: | Line 161: | ||
[[Category:Solar-powered aircraft]] |
[[Category:Solar-powered aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Unmanned military aircraft of the United Kingdom]] |
[[Category:Unmanned military aircraft of the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:High-altitude |
[[Category:High-altitude platform stations]] |
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[[Category:Airbus Defence and Space aircraft]] |
[[Category:Airbus Defence and Space aircraft]] |
Latest revision as of 11:54, 24 November 2024
Zephyr | |
---|---|
An artist's impression of the UAV | |
Role | high-altitude platform station |
National origin | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | Airbus Defence and Space |
Design group | initially Qinetiq |
First flight | December 2005[1] |
Introduction | 2024 (planned)[2] |
Status | Under development |
The Zephyr is a series of high-altitude platform station aircraft produced by Airbus. They were designed originally by QinetiQ, a commercial offshoot of the UK Ministry of Defence. In July 2010, the Zephyr 7 flew for 14 days. In March 2013, the project was sold to Airbus Defence and Space. In the summer of 2022, the Zephyr 8/S flew for 64 days.
The unmanned aerial vehicles are powered by solar cells, recharging batteries in daylight to stay aloft at night. The latest Zephyr 8/S weighs 60 kg (130 lb), has a wingspan of 25 m (82 ft), can reach 23,200 m (76,100 ft) and can lift a 5 kg (11 lb) payload for months. They can be used for mobile phone coverage, environmental monitoring, military reconnaissance or as a communications relay.
Development
[edit]Zephyr 3
[edit]In 2003, QinetiQ, a commercial offshoot of the UK Ministry of Defence, was planning to fly its Zephyr 3 up to 40 km at 70 m/s (250 km/h; 140 kn), after being released from a high-altitude balloon at 9 km, besting the NASA Helios which had reached 29 km.[3] It was envisionned as an alternative to space satellites, stationed permanently in the stratosphere for environmental monitoring, mobile phone coverage or military applications.[3] The QinetiQ 1 balloon altitude record attempt failed in 2003.[4]
In February 2005, Qinetiq was preparing a demonstration above 30,000 ft for the UK Ministry of Defence at the Woomera Test Range in Australia, for reconnaissance or as a communications relay.[4]
Zephyr 6
[edit]Between 28 and 31 July 2008, in a demonstration for the US military at its Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, the Zephyr 6 flew for 82 hours and 37 minutes, an unofficial record as the FAI wasn't involved.[5]
Zephyr 7
[edit]On 23 July 2010, the Zephyr 7 took the FAI-sanctioned duration record after a 336 hours (14 days), 22 min and 8 s flight,[6] reaching 21,562 m (70,741 ft).[7] It exceeded the nine days (216 hours) of the 1986 round-the-world flight of the Rutan Voyager.[8]
In March 2013, the project was sold to EADS Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space).[9]
In 2014 it flew for 11 days in the short days of winter whilst carrying a small payload for the British Ministry of Defence,[10] and later near civilian airspace.[11]
Zephyr 8/S
[edit]In February 2016, the UK Ministry of Defence purchased two Zephyr 8 planes.[12] In August 2016, a third was purchased.[13]
In 2016, a twin-tailed Zephyr T variant, providing a maritime surveillance and communications capability, was scheduled for flight testing in 2018.[14]
In summer 2018, for its maiden flight from Arizona, the Zephyr S remained aloft for 25 days 23 hours 57 minutes, nearly twice as long as the previous record flight of 14 days set by its predecessor.[15] By October 2021, it had flown 2,435 hours.[16]
On 15 June 2022, the Zephyr S took off in Arizona, venturing for the first time into international airspace and over water.[17] On 19 August, the plane was lost over the Arizona desert after a flight time of 64 days.[citation needed] It covered 56,000 km over the southern United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and South America.[18]
The aircraft was lost when one engine component (redesigned since) failed in an unusual high-altitude storm turbulence at 17 km.[2] By early 2023, Airbus planned to launch operations from the end of 2024 with around 18 aircraft.[2] By 2034, a 1,000 aircraft constellation could cover 2.9 billion people, and would provide emergency 4G/5G following natural disasters.[2] The larger Zephyr variant, with twice the payload capacity, is expected for 2026.[2]
Commercial services
[edit]In January 2023, the Aalto HAPS company was set up by Airbus to sell its mobile connectivity and earth observation services.[19] In June 2024, a Japanese consortium led by NTT Docomo and Space Compass committed to invest USD$100m in AALTO to commercialise connectivity HAPS services in Asia, targeting a 2026 introduction.[20]
Design
[edit]Zephyr 3
[edit]The 12 m (39 ft) wide aircraft had a carbon composite frame to weigh 12 kg (26 lb), and 1 kW of solar cells powering five motors.[3]
Zephyr 6
[edit]The carbon fiber Zephyr 6 has a 18 m (59 ft) span and weighs 30–34 kg (70 lb) for a 2 kg (4.5 lb) payload.[5] Amorphous silicon solar cells from Unisolar recharge lithium-sulphur batteries from Sion Corporation with twice the energy density of the best alternative, lithium polymer batteries.[5] Launched by hand, it can reach 18 km (60,000 ft).[5] The first version had a battery capacity of 3 kW·h, driving two propellers.[21]
Zephyr 7
[edit]Zephyr 7 was larger, at 53 kg,[22] and capable of a maximum altitude between 20 and 21 km,[23] it required five ground crew to launch, as opposed to three previously for the Zephyr 6.[24]
Zephyr 8/S
[edit]Designed to fly at 20 km (65,000 ft) for more than a month, the 25 m (82 ft) wide Zephyr 8 is 30% lighter and can lift 50% more batteries than the Zephyr 7.[25] It weighs 60 kg, 40% of which are batteries (24 kg), and the 5 kg payload can transmit video with a 50 cm resolution from above 20 km.[12] They should be able to operate year-round between 40 degrees North and South, while winter operation gets more difficult at higher latitudes.[12]
It used Amprius lithium-ion batteries with silicon nanowire anodes for a 435 Wh/kg specific energy up from 300–320 Wh/kg.[26] Solar cells are high-efficiency, lightweight, and flexible inverted metamorphic multi-junction epitaxial lift-off GaAs sheets manufactured by MicroLink Devices, with specific power exceeding 1,500 W/kg and areal powers greater than 350 W/m2.[27]
One Zephyr can replace 250 cell phone towers.[28] It can be used to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) with a wide visual payload coverage of 20×30 km (12.4×18.6 mi) and can be equipped with radar, LIDAR and infrared technologies.[17]
Endurance is targeted for up to 200–300 days.[2] An 8 kg (17.6 lb) mobile connectivity payload can serve up to 100,000 people on the ground.[2] A 5 kg Airbus-developed Opaz optical sensor can deliver 18 cm-resolution imagery.[2]
Specifications
[edit]Model | Span | Weight | Ceiling | Endurance | Payload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zephyr 4 | 12 m (39 ft) | 17 kg (37 lb) | 9 140 m (30 000 ft) | 6 h | |
Zephyr 5 | 16 m (52 ft) | 31 kg (68 lb) | 11 000 m (36 000 ft) | 18 h | |
Zephyr 6 | 18 m (59 ft) | 30 kg (66 lb) | 18 300 m (60 000 ft) | 87 h | 2 kg (4.4 lb) |
Zephyr 7 | 22,5 m (74 ft) | 53 kg (117 lb) | 21 000 m (69 000 ft) | 336 h | 5 kg (11 lb) |
Zephyr 8/S | 25 m (82 ft) | 62-65 kg (137-143 lb) | 23,200 m (76,100 ft)[16] | 624 h | 5 kg (11 lb) |
Zephyr T | 32 m (105 ft) | 145 kg (320 lb) | 20 kg (44 lb) |
Accidents and incidents
[edit]As of August 2022[update], three hull losses have been reported:
- March 2019, Wyndham, Western Australia[30]
- 28 September 2019, Wyndham, Western Australia, during the first flight after the first incident in March 2019[31][30]
- 19 August 2022, Arizona, just before breaking the record for the longest flight of any aircraft (a total of 64 days)[citation needed]
See also
[edit]- NASA Pathfinder (First flew in June 1983)
- NASA Centurion (First flight 10 November 1998)
- NASA/AeroVironment Helios Prototype (First flight 8 September 1999)
- Facebook Aquila (First flight 28 June 2016)
- SoftBank/AeroVironment HAPSMobile (First flight 11 September 2019)
- BAE Systems PHASA-35 (First flight 17 February 2020)
- Solar-powered aircraft
Notes and references
[edit]- ^ Craig Hoyle (11 July 2006). "Energetic Qinetiq". flightglobal.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Craig Hoyle (6 January 2023). "Airbus readies high-flying Zephyr for 2024 service launch". Flightglobal.
- ^ a b c Amos, Jonathan (24 June 2003). "Strato-plane looks forward". BBC News.
- ^ a b Craig Hoyle (22 February 2005). "UK's Zephyr UAV to be tested for military role". Flight International.
- ^ a b c d Amos, Jonathan (24 August 2008). "Solar plane makes record flight". BBC News.
- ^ "FAI Record ID No. 16052". FAI. 16 October 2017.
Absolute Record of class U (Experimental / New Technologies) for Duration
- ^ "FAI Record ID No. 18683". FAI. 29 August 2018.
Record of class U (Experimental / New Technologies) for True altitude
- ^ Amos, Jonathan (23 July 2010). "'Eternal plane' returns to Earth". BBC News.
- ^ "First flight of Astrium's Zephyr solar HAPS" (Press release). Airbus. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
- ^ Tovey, Alan (31 August 2014). "Fly 11 days non-stop? Now that's long-haul". Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Woodrow Bellamy III (1 October 2014). "Airbus Zephyr Proves Value For Civil Operations in Middle East". Avionics Today. Access Intelligence LLC.
- ^ a b c "MoD to buy high-flying solar planes". BBC. 2 February 2016.
- ^ "MOD buys third record-breaking UAV" (Press release). UK MOD. 17 August 2016.
- ^ "Farnborough 2016: Airbus releases Zephyr T details, outlines CONOPS for systems". Janes. 14 July 2016. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
- ^ Dan Thisdell (8 August 2018). "Airbus sets flight endurance record with Zephyr UAV". Flightglobal.
- ^ a b Sampson, Ben (15 October 2021). "Airbus Zephyr breaks more aviation records during flight testing". Aerospace Testing International.
- ^ a b Buchaniec, Catherine (22 July 2022). "Up, up and away: Airbus' Zephyr drone breaks flight record high above Arizona". Defense News.
- ^ "Unexpected end to Zephyr 8's record-smashing 64-day endurance flight". New Atlas. 24 August 2022.
- ^ Ben Sampson (23 January 2023). "Airbus brands stratospheric drone business as Aalto". Aerospace testing international.
- ^ "NTT DOCOMO and Space Compass partners with Airbus on HAPS, committing to a USD$100 million investment in AALTO" (Press release). AALTO. 3 June 2024.
- ^ Bush, Steve (28 September 2007). "Inside Qinetiq's Zephyr solar powered plane". Electronics weekly.
- ^ "Wing-to-tail guide to Zephyr, the 'eternal' plane". BBC News. 23 July 2010.
- ^ "British MoD Acquires Solar-Powered Zephyr UAV". 17 February 2016.
- ^ Goodier, Rob (7 July 2010). "Solar Plane Aims for New Record: 3 Months Aloft Without a Pilot or Fuel". Popular mechanics.
- ^ "United Kingdom Ministry of Defence places order for two solar-powered Airbus Zephyr 8s" (Press release). Airbus. 18 February 2016.
- ^ Graham Warwick (13 December 2018). "Record-Breaking Zephyr's Battery Holds eVTOL Potential". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
- ^ MicroLink Devices (17 October 2018). "MicroLink Devices Powers Successful Stratospheric Flight of Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr S HAPS Solar Aircraft" (Press release).
- ^ "Zephyr". Airbus.
- ^ "Airbus-QinetiQ Zephyr". AviationsMilitaires.net.
- ^ a b "In-flight break-up involving Airbus Zephyr unmanned aerial vehicle, near Wyndham Airport, Western Australia, on 28 September 2019". Australian Transport Safety Bureau. 28 September 2020.
- ^ "Outback aviation incident linked to UK Ministry of Defence". 9News. 12 April 2019.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Ben Sampson (17 July 2018). "Zephyr S high-altitude persistent drone could achieve 100-day flight during tests". Aerospace Testing International.