Successful trial for the Zéphyr solar drone

(B2) The Zephyr S, the solar-powered drone manufactured by Airbus, has set a new flight record, the manufacturer announced on Wednesday (July 25. This device ordered by the British army at the rate of three copies broke the record of endurance, surpassing the old record of 14 days, 22 minutes and 8 seconds.

The plane, which weighs around 75 kg and has a wingspan of 25 meters, had been in the air since departing on its maiden flight from Arizona, United States, on July 11. A cross between a satellite and a drone, the Zéphyr S navigates in the stratosphere at around 70.000 feet. It runs on solar power during the day and the batteries recharge at night.

For Deputy Defense Minister Stuart Andrew, “ this revolutionary material uses a wide range of innovative technologies, blurring the boundaries between air and space. He could one day gather useful information for our troops on the front line like reconnaissance during natural disasters.

(NGV)