Skydweller solar-powered aircraft achieves first autonomous flight
Skydweller Aero has seen interest from Five Eyes and NATO countries. (Photo: Skydweller Aero)
Skydweller Aero's solar-powered solution completed its first fully autonomous flight and is being offered for military intelligence use.
Last month, Skydweller, a large solar-powered UAV, made its first fully autonomous flight.
The aircraft can stay aloft for months or more than a year and is being offered as a concept for military intelligence applications.
Speaking to Shephard, Skydweller Aero CEO Robert Miller said: ‘We are a 365-day-a-year aircraft and can carry up to 800lb, depending on the time of year and latitude.
‘We supply, on average, 2 kilowatts over the course of a 24-hour day. We will use the same sensors that are flying on MQ-1C, MQ-9, King Air and PC-12 platforms.’
The solar-powered aircraft can
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Sweden confirms order for four C-390 Millennium aircraft]()
Sweden confirms order for four C-390 Millennium aircraft
The firm order also included options for seven more aircraft as part of the joint European procurement for the multi-role aircraft, allowing for potential future European acquisitions.
-
![Sikorsky unveils new Nomad VTOL drone family]()
Sikorsky unveils new Nomad VTOL drone family
The tailsitting vertical take-off and landing drones are designed to be scalable with Group 3 to Group 4 variants, with each one focused on meeting US Army reconnaissance requirements.
-
![Royal Navy launches Project Vanquish to test carrier-launched drone]()
Royal Navy launches Project Vanquish to test carrier-launched drone
The requirement notice outlines the need for a fixed-wing, short take-off and landing autonomous collaborative platform, as part of the UK Royal Navy’s route towards fielding a hybrid air wing.
