Airbus Zephyr: Difference between revisions
Marc Lacoste (talk | contribs) →Zephyr 8/S: brevity |
Marc Lacoste (talk | contribs) Design in ==Design== and Development in ==Development== |
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In 2003, [[QinetiQ]], a commercial offshoot of the [[UK Ministry of Defence]], was planing to fly its Zephyr 3 up to 132,000 feet (40 km) at {{cvt|70|m/s|kn km/h}}, after being released from a [[high-altitude balloon]] at 30,000 feet (9 km), besting the [[NASA Helios]] which had reached 96,000 feet (29 km).<ref name=BBC24jun2003/> |
In 2003, [[QinetiQ]], a commercial offshoot of the [[UK Ministry of Defence]], was planing to fly its Zephyr 3 up to 132,000 feet (40 km) at {{cvt|70|m/s|kn km/h}}, after being released from a [[high-altitude balloon]] at 30,000 feet (9 km), besting the [[NASA Helios]] which had reached 96,000 feet (29 km).<ref name=BBC24jun2003/> |
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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> |
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> |
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The [[QinetiQ 1]] balloon altitude record attempt failed in 2003.<ref name=Flight22feb2005/> |
The [[QinetiQ 1]] balloon altitude record attempt failed in 2003.<ref name=Flight22feb2005/> |
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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> |
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> |
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.<ref name=simpleflying20Aug2022>{{cite news |url= https://simpleflying.com/airbus-zephyr-flight-ends/ |title= The Airbus Zephyr Comes Crashing Down In Arizona |work= Simple Flying |date= 20 Aug 2022}}</ref> It covered 30,000 nmi (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> |
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.<ref name=simpleflying20Aug2022>{{cite news |url= https://simpleflying.com/airbus-zephyr-flight-ends/ |title= The Airbus Zephyr Comes Crashing Down In Arizona |work= Simple Flying |date= 20 Aug 2022}}</ref> It covered 30,000 nmi (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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==Design== |
==Design== |
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=== Zephyr 3 === |
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=== Zephyr 6 === |
=== Zephyr 6 === |
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Designed to fly at {{cvt|65,000|ft}} 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> |
Designed to fly at {{cvt|65,000|ft}} 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 carries 24 kg of batteries and a 5 kg payload.<ref name=BBC2Feb2016/> |
It carries 24 kg of batteries and a 5 kg payload.<ref name=BBC2Feb2016/> |
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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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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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Zephyr is under consideration for use as an airborne communication station, offering the possibility of replacing 250 [[cell site]]s.<ref name=nextbigfuture23Oct2021/> 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/> |
Zephyr is under consideration for use as an airborne communication station, offering the possibility of replacing 250 [[cell site]]s.<ref name=nextbigfuture23Oct2021/> 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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Revision as of 14:54, 10 January 2023
| Zephyr | |
|---|---|
| |
| An artist's impression of the UAV | |
| Role | High-altitude long endurance unmanned aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Design group | initially Qinetiq, now Airbus Defence and Space |
| Introduction | 2017 |
| Status | Under development |
| Number built | 3 |
The Airbus Zephyr is a series of lightweight solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The latest model is a high-altitude platform station capable of flying at 70,000 feet (21,000 m) for months at a time without fueling. It has a wingspan of 25 metres (82 ft) and weighs 75 kilograms (165 lb).[1][self-published source?]
Development
Zephyr 3
In 2003, QinetiQ, a commercial offshoot of the UK Ministry of Defence, was planing to fly its Zephyr 3 up to 132,000 feet (40 km) at 70 m/s (140 kn; 250 km/h), after being released from a high-altitude balloon at 30,000 feet (9 km), besting the NASA Helios which had reached 96,000 feet (29 km).[2] It was envisionned as an alternative to space satellites, stationed permanently in the stratosphere for environmental monitoring, mobile phone coverage or military applications.[2] The QinetiQ 1 balloon altitude record attempt failed in 2003.[3]
In February 2005, Qinetiq was preparing a demonstration above 30,000ft for the UK Ministry of Defence at the Woomera Test Range in Australia, for reconnaissance or as a communications relay.[3]
Zephyr 6
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.[4]
Zephyr 7
On 23 July 2010, the Zephyr 7 took the FAI-sanctionned duration record after a 336 hours (14 days), 22 min and 8 s flight,[5] reaching 21,562 m (70,741 ft).[6] It exceeded the nine days (216 hours) of the 1986 round-the-world flight of the Rutan Voyager.[7]
In March 2013, the project was sold to EADS Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space).[8]
In 2014 it flew for 11 days in winter,[9] and later near civilian airspace.[10]
Zephyr 8/S
In February 2016, the UK Ministry of Defence purchased two Zephyr 8 planes.[11] In August 2016, a third was purchased.[12]
In 2016, a twin-tailed Zephyr T variant, providing a maritime surveillance and communications capability, was scheduled for flight testing in 2018.[13]
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.[14] By October 2021, it had flown 2,435 hours.[15]
On 15 June 2022, the Zephyr S took off in Arizona, venturing for the first time into international airspace and over water.[16] On 19 August, the plane was lost over the Arizona desert after a flight time of 64 days.[17] It covered 30,000 nmi (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 57,000ft.[19] By early 2023, Airbus planned to launch operations from the end of 2024 with around 18 aircraft.[19] By 2034, a 1,000 aircraft constellation could cover 2.9 billion people, and would provide emergency 4G/5G following natural disasters.[19] The larger Zephyr variant, with twice the payload capacity, is expected for 2026.[19]
Design
Zephyr 3
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.[2]
Zephyr 6
The carbon fiber Zephyr 6 has a 18 m (59 ft) span and weighs 30-34kg (70lb) for a 2kg (4.5lb) payload.[4] 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.[4] Launched by hand, it can reach 18km (60,000ft).[4] The first version had a battery capacity of 3 kW·h, driving two propellers.[20]
Zephyr 7
Zephyr 7 was larger, at 53 kg,[21] and capable of a maximum altitude between 65,000 and 70,000 feet,[22] it required five ground crew to launch, as opposed to three previously for the Zephyr 6.[23]
Zephyr 8/S
Designed to fly at 65,000 ft (20,000 m) 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.[24] It carries 24 kg of batteries and a 5 kg payload.[11]
It used Amprius lithium-ion batteries with silicon nanowire anodes for a 435 Wh/kg specific energy up from 300–320 Wh/kg.[25] 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.[26]
Zephyr is under consideration for use as an airborne communication station, offering the possibility of replacing 250 cell sites.[1] 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.[16]
Endurance is targeted for up to 200-300 days.[19] An 8 kg (17.6 lb) mobile connectivity payload can serve up to 100,000 people on the ground.[19] A 5 kg Airbus-developed Opaz optical sensor can deliver 18cm-resolution imagery.[19]
Specifications
| 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)[15] | 624 h | 5 kg (11 lb) |
| Zephyr T | 32 m (105 ft) | 145 kg (320 lb) | 20 kg (44 lb) |
Accidents and incidents
As of August 2022[update], three hull losses have been reported:
- March 2019, Wyndham, Western Australia[28]
- 28 September 2019, Wyndham, Western Australia, during the first flight after the first incident in March 2019[29][28]
- 19 August 2022, Arizona, just before breaking the record for the longest flight of any aircraft (a total of 64 days)[17]
See also
- 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)
Notes and references
- ^ a b Wang, Brian (23 October 2021). "Airbus Solar Powered Aircraft Can Fly for 18 Days And Replace 250 Cell Towers". NextBigFuture.com.
- ^ 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.
Absolute Record of class U (Experimental / New Technologies) for Duration
- ^ "FAI Record ID No. 18683". FAI.
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 "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.
- ^ a b "The Airbus Zephyr Comes Crashing Down In Arizona". Simple Flying. 20 August 2022.
- ^ "Unexpected end to Zephyr 8's record-smashing 64-day endurance flight". New Atlas. 24 August 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g Craig Hoyle (6 January 2023). "Airbus readies high-flying Zephyr for 2024 service launch". Flightglobal.
- ^ 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).
- ^ "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
- Official website
- Ben Sampson (17 July 2018). "Zephyr S high-altitude persistent drone could achieve 100-day flight during tests". Aerospace Testing International.
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