Eco Factor: Zero-emission electric unmanned electric aircraft powered by solar energy.
QinetiQ is demonstrating perpetual solar flight with its Zephyr Unmanned Air System, which is currently airborne and setting a new unmanned flight duration record. The official world record for the longest unmanned flight is 30 hours 24 minutes that was set by Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk in 2001.
Zephyr is trying to better the record and is already closing on the 200 hour mark with another 168 hours planned by the team. The aircraft is currently flying over US Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The aircraft features new 22.5m wingspan that is covered with amorphous silicon solar array no thicker than sheets of paper.
The solar cells convert solar energy to electricity which is used to recharge the lithium-sulfur batteries, which are later used to fly the plane after dark. The new Zephyr is 50 percent larger than its predecessor and accommodates more batteries along with a new integrated power management system. The new shape contributes to reduce drag and improve performance.
Via: Gizmag
