UAS Makes 39-Hour Nonstop Flight in FAI Group 2 Drone Category

Lockheed Martin has completed a successful 39-hour flight endurance test using its Stalker VXE UAS. 

The flight was taken in February in an attempt to obtain a world record for the type using a specially configured Stalker to remain in flight for 39 hours, 17 minutes and 7 seconds. The record was submitted to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale under the Group 2 category, featuring aircraft from 5 to 25 kilos. The US affiliate body, the National Aeronautical Association, will handle the submission and, if successful, alert Lockheed of their record. 

Lockheed said that the aircraft used was a production Stalker VXE, modified with an external wing mounted fuel tank. The record attempt was meant to advertise the Stalker aircraft's impressive endurance, "broad operating envelope, modular payload compliance, vertical take-off and landing capability, and open system architecture allow it to execute diverse and demanding missions while maintaining a small operational footprint and crew."

Lockheed brought a few industry partners along for the ride, tapping into Composite Technology Development for their assistance in building a new, light-weight external wing tank. Clovis Area Modelers provided official, Federation approved contest directors to continuously monitor and adjudicate the world record flight for ratification, in addition to the other entities already involved in the Stalker program. Edge Autonomy has been a longtime developer and OEM manufacturer for a handful of components on the aircraft, with fuel cell tech developed by Adaptive Energy. 

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com