Skydweller Aero has achieved an autonomous solar-powered flight of its proprietary unmanned aerial system (UAS) for the United States Navy.
The three-day event saw the aircraft perform an endurance flight using the unconventional power source over Stennis, Mississippi, proving the drone's potential in maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The drone completed 73 hours of live testing, which resulted in the aircraft meeting energy balance parameters for extended flight operations.
Assessments also looked at communication links, unassisted real-time decision-making and performance in turbulent weather conditions.
Next generation ISR system
According to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aeronautics Division (NAWCAD), flight test coordinator for the Army's naval aviation systems, evaluation of the Oklahoma-based company's solar platform began in 2020 to assist the U.S. Southern Command in its missions, including border security and counter-narcotics.
NAWCAD said it will continue testing the Skydweller later this summer in the command's area of responsibility, which includes parts of Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean region.
“Integrating Skydweller into the Navy’s ISR architecture creates a multi-tiered, resilient network that maximizes the capabilities of all our assets” said Bill MacchioneManager of Special Purpose UAS at NAWCAD.
“This collaborative approach ensures we have the right platform for the right mission, optimizing our resources and improving our overall maritime domain awareness.”
The Skydweller drone
The Skydweller drone is 72 feet (22 meters) long, has a wingspan of 236 feet (72 meters), and weighs 5,620 pounds (2,549 kilograms).
It is constructed primarily from carbon fiber components and can carry up to 800 pounds (363 kilograms) of payload.
For power, it is equipped with solar panels and battery backups to ensure constant operation at night and in low light conditions.
The aircraft has a maximum speed of 100 knots (115 miles/185 kilometers per hour) and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters).
