Eco Factor: Zero-emission UAV will be powered by solar energy.
DARPA’s Vulture program, which aims to develop and demonstrate technology to enable a single high-altitude UAV that can stay aloft for a period of five years has entered its second phase and has awarded Boeing an $89 million contract to develop a full-scale demonstrator called the SolarEagle.
The SolarEagle will be a solar-powered unmanned aircraft that will be designed to remain on station at stratospheric altitudes for at least five years. The aircraft will have highly efficient electric motors and propellers, which are powered by solar panels mounted on the 400-foot wingspan of the SolarEagle.
During testing, the SolarEagle demonstrator will remain aloft for 30 days, harvesting solar energy harvesting solar energy during the day that will be stored in fuel cells and used to provide power through the night. Key suppliers for the project includes Versa Power Systems and QinetiQ, which has already demonstrated a solar-powered aircraft.
Via: Gizmag
