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Tue, Mar 31, 2015

Facebook Unveils Large UAVs For Internet Connectivity

\Aircraft Would Be Solar Powered, Have A Wingspan Longer Than A 737

Facebook executives have unveiled a plan that could eventually bring wireless Internet service to up to 4 billion people around the world that are currently without access using solar-powered UAVs with wingspans longer than a 737.

Called Aquila, the first UAV is already undergoing flight testing in the U.K., according to a post on  Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's page. "The final design will have a wingspan greater than a Boeing 737 but will weigh less than a car," Zuckerberg said. "It will be powered by solar panels on its wings and it will be able to stay at altitudes of more than 60,000 feet for months at a time.

"Aircraft like these will help connect the whole world because they can affordably serve the 10% of the world's population that live in remote communities without existing internet infrastructure."

The program was one of several featured at the Facebook F8 Developer Conference held last week in San Francisco.

(Image from Facebook)

FMI: www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10101993038596471&set=a.529237706231.2034669.4&type=1&theater

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