QinetiQ Files For Three World Records For Its Solar Powered
UAV
The recent uninterrupted two-week flight by QinetiQ's Zephyr
solar powered UAV has the company bidding for three world records.
QinetiQ has filed with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale
(FAI) for ratification of a laundry list of achievements for its
high-altitude long endurance (HALE) Unmanned Air System (UAS),
including:
- The absolute duration record for an Unmanned Air Vehicle
– being filed at 336 hrs, 22 minutes.
- The duration record for a UAV (in the U/1.c / 50-500Kg
category) – time as above.
- The absolute altitude record for a UAV (in the above category)
– being filed at 70,740ft (21,561m).
Zephyr Landing Following Two-Week Flight
Zephyr was launched at 0641 (MST) on July 9th, 2010 and stayed
aloft for 14 nights (336 hrs / 22 minutes) above the US Army's Yuma
Proving Ground in Arizona. The aircraft was landed safely on the
morning of July 23rd, having achieving all the objectives of the
trial.
An official from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale
(FAI), the world air sports federation, monitored every aspect of
Zephyr’s progress at the Yuma Proving Ground from launch to
safe landing. “We now await official FAI confirmation that we
have met all necessary criteria,” stated Jon Saltmarsh,
Zephyr Program Director. “This is a tremendous achievement,
earning Zephyr a well deserved place in the record books and
setting a significant milestone in aviation history.”
QinetiQ says Zephyr can be transported in a standard road
transport container, and can remain above a general area
continuously for weeks, if not months, delivering vital
capability at a fraction of the cost of satellites and
significantly more cost effectively than other "conventionally
powered" manned or unmanned aircraft. Zephyr also does not need to
return to base at regular intervals for re-fueling or servicing,
which helps minimize the logistical supply chain, extending its
operational capability. Its zero emissions also make it
exceptionally environmentally friendly.
Zephyr Launch July 9th
During the Yuma trial, Zephyr carried a communications payload
configured to meet the needs of the UK Ministry of Defence. In
addition to the obvious defence and security applications, possible
commercial uses include environmental research, monitoring crops
and pollution, providing tactical intelligence over disaster zones
or forest fires, and delivering mobile communications capabilities
in remote areas.
“Zephyr ... is set to transform the delivery of current
services such as communications, and lead to many new applications
which are not possible or affordable by other means," said Chris
Kelleher, QinetiQ’s chief designer. "We’ve now proved
that this world-beating aircraft is capable of providing a cost
effective, persistent surveillance and communications capability
measured in terms of weeks, if not months.”
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