A pirate and poacher-hunting drone that can fly without a crew for 90 days using only the energy from the sun has made a “true, world-changing first” test flight in the US
The Skydweller, which has a wingspan greater than a Boeing 747, took off and landed from Stennis International Airport (HSA) in Mississippi without “humans on-board or in control”.
A fleet of the aircraft will be deployed for long duration “national security” missions, which could include covert surveillance and reconnaissance flights over the South China Sea and above other “challenging” hot spots around the world.
They will also be used to detect pirates and drug smugglers at sea, and big game poachers in Africa.
The drones, which are reportedly being developed for the US Navy, can cruise at 100 knots and remain airborne – at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet – for months at a time.
Nearly 3,000 square feet of photovoltaic cells on their giant, carbon fibre wings provide continuous power and zero carbon emissions.
By contrast, current combustion-powered aircraft, including piloted planes and drones, are limited to a maximum of around 40 hours flight time.
Skydweller Aero, the US manufacturer, said this makes their aircraft between 10 and 100 times cheaper to operate than conventional planes.
Speaking this week, its CEO Robert Miller said: “This is a true, world-changing first in the aerospace industry.
“Our fleet of uncrewed aircraft will enable a multitude of long-duration missions that support national security and non-terrestrial communications with revolutionary cost savings.
The Skydweller builds on the manned Solar Impulse 2 aircraft that flew around the world in 2015 and 2016 but had to stop every five days.
Its latest, upgraded version will reportedly eliminate the cockpit, allowing space for hardware that allows for autonomous abilities.
In a statement, Skydweller Aero said the drone will also feature a 5G communications relay, sophisticated video and surveillance facilities, satellite communication, and imaging radar.
It can also carry an 800-pound payload.
The statement added: “Autonomous aircraft directly save lives by removing the need for flight crews to be physically present in hostile or dangerous airspace.
“For example, a Skydweller aircraft can take off from the United States, fly itself to the South China Sea, and stay in the air on mission for weeks or months before returning home.
“Additionally, autonomy enables not just traditional long-duration missions, but also new missions that would have formerly been deemed unacceptable due to risk to the flight crew.
“Skydwellers can be deployed for long-duration missions such as providing continuous aerial overage above conflict zones, surveilling naval activity in contested waters without risking pilots’ lives, detecting drug smugglers and pirates at sea, and tracking wildlife migration and poaching in Africa.”
Miller added: “We are applying cutting-edge, 21st century materials science, artificial intelligence, and software development to an industry that has spent more than 100 years building piloted, combustion-based aircraft.
“This allows Skydweller to leap ahead of heritage aircraft manufacturers in terms of aircraft performance, flight duration, and cost effectiveness.”
Further information
www.skydweller.aero
Images © Skydweller
