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Skydweller solar-powered aircraft achieves first autonomous flight

6th March 2023 - 14:00 GMT | by Ian Parker in London

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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

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