It is expected that a drone with extraordinary specifications will see the light of day within a few years, after British researchers have already begun its experiment and succeeded in flying, amid expectations that it will constitute a boom in the market for “drones” used in various military and civil matters.
According to a report published by the Daily Mail, a British company has developed a solar-powered drone that can fly at an altitude of up to 70,000 feet, and is able to fly continuously without stopping for up to 20 months, that is, for more than a year. And half a year.
The report said that this "drone" has a wingspan of 115 feet, and can remain in the air for more than a year, and will be an alternative to satellites orbiting the Earth.
The developers called this aircraft (PHASA-35), an advanced unmanned aircraft that is being developed by the well-known British company (BAE) systems that specialize in the production of military equipment. This super plane is being developed at the company's facilities and laboratories in the Wharton area of Lancashire, England.
The developers say that the plane can fly at an altitude of 70,000 feet above the ground, and for a period of up to 20 months.
The British newspaper said the plane harnesses the sun's energy to stay in the air, charging a set of small batteries during the day to keep them flying all night allowing for longer operations.
The 150kg drone can carry a payload of up to 15kg including cameras, sensors and communications equipment, to allow forces to talk to each other or provide internet access in rural locations during natural disasters or emergencies.
BAE says the aircraft will be up and running by 2025, providing "a stable and affordable alternative to satellite technology".
The new aircraft can also be used in the work of monitoring the movements of military forces or maritime activities. While the satellite provides high-resolution images for a specific period of time, the PHASA-35 aircraft can provide a stable feed of images to the forces on the ground.
The development team says they will be flying test flights of this aircraft from the United States this summer, and the British manufacturer says it will provide "game-changing capabilities for a wide range of military and commercial uses, ranging from monitoring forest areas to detecting and helping to control wildfires." to provide Internet access in remote areas.
The project organizers also point to a number of essential applications for the drone in areas normally covered by satellites in low Earth orbit, including environmental monitoring, disaster relief work, border protection, maritime and military surveillance, and mobile Internet communications.
The Source: alarabiya.net