Zephyr flying high and setting records
Zephyr demonstrated successful flight with multiple payload integrations and tested new OPAZ payload, streaming Earth observation data. (Photo: Airbus)
Airbus’ Zephyr has proved its capabilities are out of this world as it set a new world record for absolute altitude for this class of UAS at 76,100ft.
Airbus’ Zephyr Solar High Altitude Platform (HAPS) has completed its most ambitious and successful flight campaign to date.
The flight campaign aimed to demonstrate how Zephyr could be used for future operations, flying outside of restricted airspace and over airspace shared with commercial air traffic.
Zephyr proves its ability to provide instant, persistent and improved situational awareness using its Optical Advanced Earth Observation system for Zephyr (OPAZ) payload.
The testing consisted of six flights, four low-level test flights and two stratospheric flights. The stratospheric flights flew for around 18 days each, totalling more than 36 days of stratospheric flight.
This adds a further 887 flight hours to Zephyr’s accumulated 2,435 stratospheric flight hours.
Airbus claims Zephyr is carbon neutral as it uses sunlight to fly and recharge its batteries and so does not use fossil fuels or produce carbon emissions.
The programme has faced setbacks, as 2020 testing resulted in the Zephyr crashing after climbing to 8,500ft and encountering turbulence that led to a terrain collision.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the aircraft can be used for military purposes, humanitarian missions, precision farming, environmental and security monitoring and to provide internet coverage to regions of poor or zero connectivity.
More from Air Warfare
-
![BAE Systems' UK Combat Air Demonstrator closes in on final assembly]()
BAE Systems' UK Combat Air Demonstrator closes in on final assembly
The first render for the demonstrator was unveiled in July 2025, with BAE Systems now aiming for the start of final assembly by the end of 2026 to prepare the aircraft for first flight by 2027.
-
![Rapid APKWS integration sparks “strong” demand from Typhoon customers]()
Rapid APKWS integration sparks “strong” demand from Typhoon customers
The recent operational use and success of the APKWS laser-guidance kit on the UK RAF's Typhoons has driven demand from other Eurofighter customers for integration of the system on their own combat aircraft fleet, according to BAE Systems.
-
![Callen-Lenz pushes ahead with Nyan OWE as it hails operational success]()
Callen-Lenz pushes ahead with Nyan OWE as it hails operational success
The one-way-effector uncrewed aerial vehicle has also been tested by the British Army, following on from its contract award notice in February 2026.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA]()
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
