QinetiQ Zephyr
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Zephyr is a lightweight solar-powered plane engineered by the United Kingdom defence firm, QinetiQ. It is of carbon-fibre construction, and uses sunlight to charge lithium-sulphur batteries during the day, which power the aircraft at night. The aircraft has been designed for use in observation and communications relay.[1]
The Zephyr holds the world record (unofficial) for the longest duration unmanned flight with a 82-hour, 61,000 foot flight in July 2008.[2]
In a demonstration for the US military, the Zephyr performed beyond the official world record for the longest-duration unmanned flight, however its 82-hour flight did not set an official record because the Federation Aeronautic Internationale was not involved in the flight.[2]
[edit] Technical specifications
- Wingspan: 18m (59ft)
- Weight: 30 - 34kg (66 - 75lb)
- Maximum payload: 2kg (4.5lb) approx
- Maximum altitude: exceeds 18km (60,000ft)
- Maximum height: 7.2m
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ QinetiQ Group PLC (14 Sept 2008). "Zephyr - QinetiQ High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". http://www.qinetiq.com/home/products/zephyr.html. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ^ a b Amos, Jonathan (2008-08-24). "Solar plane makes record flight" (in BBC). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7577493.stm. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
[edit] External links
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