Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    • Showcase 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    19th March 2025

    In this issue: March 2025

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this issue: March 2025

    19th March 2025
    contents and front cover of magazine

    In this issue: December / January 2025

    19th December 2024
    Showcase 2025

    In this issue – Showcase 2025

    6th November 2024
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
Drones & Air Taxis Electric & Hybrid Uncategorized

BAE Systems conducts test flight of high altitude persistent drone

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson18th February 20202 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
solar powered drone

BAE Systems has flown a solar electric aircraft that is designed to stay airborne for up to a year for the first time.

PHASA-35 (Persistent High Altitude Solar Aircraft) has been developed by BAE Systems and UK-based aerospace firm Prismatic and has a 35m wingspan covered by solar panels. BAE Systems agreed to buy the Prismatic last year.

The successful maiden flight is the result of a two-year project between the two companies. The flight trials took place at the Royal Australian Air Force Woomera Test Range in South Australia. Further flight tests are scheduled for later this year.

The 150kg aircraft, which is constructed from composites uses two propellers and a drive system specially-developed and supplied by Hampshire, UK-based firm Printed Motor Works. It can carry payloads of up to 15kg.

Ian Muldowney, engineering director at BAE Systems said, “This is an outstanding early result that demonstrates the pace that can be achieved when we bring the best of British capability together. To go from design to flight in less than two years shows that we can rise to the challenge the UK Government has set industry to deliver a Future Combat Air System within the next decade.”

The unmanned drone is one of several in development around the world, including Airbus’ Zephyr and Boeing’s Odysseus.

Aerospace companies are looking to develop a market forHigh Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) vehicles, also known as High Altitude Psuedo Satellites (HAPS), that will fly in the stratosphere for long periods of time primarily to provide communications and observation capabilities for defence and civil applications, such as forest fire detection and maritime surveillance. Operating in the stratosphere means that the aircraft can remain above the weather and conventional air traffic and use solar panels to charge batteries with sufficient energy to stay aloft overnight.

 

 

 

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleG700 biz jet makes maiden test flight
Next Article GE Inspection Technologies rebrands as Waygate Technologies
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

Uncategorized

AIR cargo eVTOL completes night flight testing

22nd May 20252 Mins Read
Drones & Air Taxis

Wisk and NASA to partner on US autonomous flight operations and standards

20th May 20252 Mins Read
News

US range opened to boost hypersonic and laser weapon testing

19th May 20252 Mins Read
Latest Posts

AIR cargo eVTOL completes night flight testing

22nd May 2025

Astrolight raises €2.8m to build optical space communications network

22nd May 2025

Industry Adoption of 3D Optical Surface Gauges

21st May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe To Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.