QinetiQ claims record flight for solar UAV

Hampshire, England-based defense contractor QinetiQ Group (LON: QQ) said one of its solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles has set an unofficial world record for the longest unmanned flight.

The company's Zephyr ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber aircraft flew for 82 hours and 37 minutes, which QinetiQ said exceeds the official world record for unmanned flight of 30 hours and 24 minutes set by the much larger Global Hawk aircraft from Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) in 2001.

"In addition to setting a new unofficial record, the trial is a step towards the delivery of Zephyr's capability for joint, real-time, battlefield persistent surveillance and communications to forces in the field at the earliest opportunity," said Simon Bennett, managing director of QinetiQ's Applied Technologies business.

The Zephyr's flight time is reportedly likely to remain unofficial because it did not meet the regulations of the World Air Sports Federation, which is responsible for measuring and verifying air and space records.

Last year, QinetiQ claimed another unnofficial world record, at the time saying its Zephyr stayed aloft for 54 hours at more than 50,000 feet (see This could make Icarus jealous).

Launched by hand, the Zephyr flies on solar power generated by amorphous silicon solar arrays that cover the aircraft's wings. At night it's powered by rechargeable lithium-sulphur batteries.

The company said the UAV was flown on autopilot and via satellite communications to a maximum altitude of more than 60,000 feet. The trial included a military utility assessment of a U.S. government communications payload.

The U.K. Ministry of Defence has funded the development of the Zephyr to date, with the U.S. Department of Defense funding this demonstration flight.

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