BAE Systems reveals PHASA-35 solar-powered HALE UAV

Flyaway

Flyaway

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This is going to be offered to potential customers as a significantly cheaper alternative to buying a reconnaissance satellite.

BAE Systems has revealed its PHASA-35 concept for a solar-powered high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can remain aloft for up to a year.

The Persistent High Altitude Solar Aircraft (PHASA) UAV features a 35 m wingspan, giving it the moniker PHASA-35. According to the company, a quarter-scale demonstrator known as PHASA-8 flew in 2017 and work is now already under way to prepare the first full-scale aircraft to be ready for flight tests in 2019.

The 150 kg PHASA-35 is being developed by BAE Systems in partnership with UK company Prismatic, which bills itself as an expert in the design, manufacture, and delivery of innovative, high-value aerospace products and systems
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http://www.janes.com/article/79777/bae-systems-reveals-phasa-35-solar-powered-hale-uav

More info here.

According to BAE Systems, Solar HALE vehicles offer a significantly cheaper alternative to conventional satellite technology, with PHASA-35 (Persistent High Altitude Solar Aircraft), being a concept solar electric UAV that uses Li-ion battery technology and ultra-lightweight GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) solar cells to potentially maintain flight for up to 12 months.

The PHASA-35 concept has a 35m wingspan and weighs 150kg. A quarter scale model (PHASE-8) completed a maiden flight in 2017, with Prismatic and BAE Systems now looking to take the technology a step further.
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https://www.theengineer.co.uk/hale-phasa-35-uav/
 
Reaper said:
Nice, a Zephyr clone.
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Well, the Prismatic guys are actually the people who designed and built Zephyr. There was an exodus when QinetiQ sold it to Airbus. Now they reckon they can do something better.
 
See the waste of public money?
MALE, Zephir, FCAS... Italians have now the leanest aerospace spending in Europe! (Sorry for the back joke*).


*the culprit will drown his bad mood with glasses of Limoncello (gasp!).
 
Kea Aerospace are developing a similar drone. The owner of the company helped found Rocket Lab.

Our Journey To The Stratosphere | Kea Aerospace

Untapped opportunity awaits around 20km above the ground - and we’re creating the aircraft to reach it. Discover our journey to the stratosphere.
www.keaaerospace.com www.keaaerospace.com
 

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