The latest version of British technology company Qinetiq’s Zephyr solar-powered high altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle is now structurally complete.
The Zephyr 7 is intended to be flown in summer 2010 – with a 14-day flight on the cards.
The Zephyr program continues to be funded by the UK and US military to meet possible HALE requirements. Flight trails of various design iterations of the Zephyr, along with surveillance and communications payloads have been underway since 2005.
Several design refinements have been introduced on the Zephyr 7 to increase efficiency, with the intent of allowing the air vehicle to maintain a higher cruise altitude at night.
Modifications include the move to a T-tail configuration, as well as the introduction of greater chord on the inner wing section, and ogive wing tips.
Tests of the batteries to be used on Zephyr 7 have already been undertaken and the results indicate that the 14-day duration flight target is realistic.
The Zephyr 6 has recently undergone further flight trials at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, where a U.S. flight crew flew a test for the first time.
Picture Credit Credit Qinetiq (Zephyr 6 shown)
