Military Solar Powered Drone

Although a drone that combined solar and battery power was flown in the past this is nus first one to rely solely on direct solar power.

Military solar powered drone.

Solar powered drone could fly nonstop for five years. Without a battery you could fly a drone as long as the sun keeps shining. It s awesome assuming your motives are. This prototype is a proof of concept to show that solar powered drones can.

So far it has been flown by remote control up to an. The aircraft can potentially be used as a flying solar panel to provide emergency solar power to disaster areas as well as for photography small package delivery surveillance and. Solar drones have also been researched as a way to provide internet access to rural communities. The solar powered quadcopter drone can be controlled by remote control or programmed to fly autonomously using a gps system incorporated into the aircraft.

It s a brilliant idea. Handout china military. Zephyr is the world s leading solar electric stratospheric unmanned aerial system uas with a wingspan of 25m and weighs less than 75kg. Though many people immediately associate unmanned drones with military use or some kind of dubious espionage activity.

Solar powered drones like the caihong t4 nasa helios prototype and zephyr s that can stay airborne for months or potentially years have significant geo political implications. Avic has successfully tested the morning star a solar powered drone which is designed to remain in the air for months. Having already taken to the stratosphere and breaking multiple world records zephyr is an innovative solution currently under development by airbus. Solar powered drones are ideally suited for carrying out extensive surveillance and military reconnaissance operations.

Nus students have built a quadcopter drone that can be powered solely by sunlight.