Longest
unmanned flight-world record set by Zephyr plane
[Sep 10] LONDON, UK--A lightweight, solar-powered plane built by
British defence and security technology company QinetiQ has broken
a world record for unmanned flight by staying aloft for 54 hours,
the firm said Monday.
The Zephyr, which has an 18-metre (59-feet) wingspan
and weighs just 30 kilogrammes (66 pounds), smashed the previous
best of 30 hours 24 minutes by nearly a whole day, flying to a maximum
height of 58,355 feet.
It then flew a second time, again beating the previous
benchmark set by a jet-powered US Air Force plane six years ago
with a time of 33 hours 43 minutes to a height of 52,247 feet.
The researchers believe it is the first
time a solar-powered craft has flown under its own power through
two nights.
Paul Davey, Zephyr business development director at
QinetiQ, said that even if they do not clinch the new record, the
aircraft had secured its place in the annals of unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) development.
"Both flights were achieved in the face of thunderstorms
and debilitating heat in the hostile environment of the New Mexico
high desert in the summertime," he said.
"They have proved that an autonomous UAV can be operated
on solar electric power for the duration required to support persistent
military operations."
By day, the Zephyr is powered by solar panels on its
wings. Daylight sun also recharges lithium sulphur batteries that
keep it aloft at night.
QinetiQ said the Zephyr could be used in areas like
earth observations and communications relay for defence or security
operations.
