This is a record duration flight for an unmanned aircraft. A solar-powered drone has crashed after spending 64 days over the United States, the US military and media reported on Tuesday. The Zephyr-8 drone designed by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus “experienced events that led to its unforeseen end” over the Yuma Proving Ground test site in the southwestern Arizona desert, it said in a statement. statement from the military equipment development command of the US Army. a declaration.
The press release does not provide further details, but the specialized site Simple Flying, which tracks flight data, assured that the drone was flying in “S”-shaped trajectories over the southwestern United States at an altitude of about 15 km when suddenly plummeted. high speed before coming to a complete stop.
No injuries to report
The army did not give any explanation, but emphasized that there were no injuries. “Our team is working hard to collect and analyze data following the unexpected termination of the flight,” Michael Monteleone, the Army program manager overseeing the flight, said in a statement.
With a wingspan of 25m and weighing just 75kg, the Zephyr far surpassed the previous record for drone flight. However, it remains below the record for the flight of a motorized aircraft since in 1959, a Cessna 172, with two pilots in the maneuver, flew over the desert of the American Southwest for 64 days, 22 hours and 19 minutes.
A “beautiful experience”
The Zephyr spent its entire flight in the stratosphere, testing its ability to collect and transmit data and be piloted via satellite, according to the US military and Airbus. The manufacturer called the flight “valuable experience” for its endurance flight goals.
The drone will eventually have the potential to serve as a “HAPS” or “high altitude platform”. Such a device can remain at high altitudes for long periods of time, providing high-speed communication services for isolated areas on land.
Source: BFM TV
