After a record-breaking 64 days and almost 35,000 miles aloft, the Army’s latest test of a solar-powered, ultra-long endurance drone has come to an end.
The unmanned aerial system, Airbus’ Zephyr 8, launched June 15 from Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, and crashed Aug. 18, recording a remarkable flight of more than two months.
In a statement Aug. 23, the Army Futures Command’s Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing/Space Cross-Functional Team, which conducted the test, would only say that the aircraft’s “flight campaign ended” when the Zephyr 8 “encountered events that led to its unexpected termination.”
No additional information was released, but the Army said there were no injuries or risk to personnel or other aircraft because of the incident.
“Our team is working hard to gather and analyze important data following the unexpected termination of this flight,” said Michael Monteleone, director of the cross-functional team, in a statement. “Despite this event, the Army and its partners have gleaned invaluable data and increased knowledge on the endurance, efficiency and station keeping abilities of high-altitude UAS platforms. That knowledge will allow us to continue to advance requirements for reliable, modernized stratospheric capabilities to our soldiers.”
The Army’s work with the Zephyr is part of its efforts to boost intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, and the aircraft could serve as a low-cost, more capable alternative to a satellite, able to loiter over the same vicinity for hours or days at a time, according to the service.
Upon its launch earlier this summer, the Zephyr 8 climbed to over 60,000 feet into the stratosphere before executing its flight plan over the southern portion of the U.S., into the Gulf of Mexico and over South America, the Army said.
The flight marked several firsts for the aircraft, including its departure from U.S. airspace, flight over water and in international airspace, data collection and direct downlink while outside U.S. airspace and the demonstration of resilient satellite command and control from three locations—Huntsville, Alabama, Yuma and Farnborough, U.K., the Army said.
This latest flight more than doubled the previous unmanned aerial system endurance record—which was just under 26 days—and its 1,500 flight hours beat all known unmanned aircraft endurance records, marking “significant capability and informing future mission requirements,” the Army said.
The Army will not conduct another flight demonstration until 2023, as it analyzes the data generated during this 64-day flight and investigates why the aircraft stopped flying, the service said.
I'm a seasoned aerospace enthusiast with a deep understanding of unmanned aerial systems and solar-powered drones. My expertise stems from years of following advancements in aerospace technology, attending industry conferences, and engaging with experts in the field. Now, let's delve into the fascinating details of the recent test involving the Army's solar-powered drone, Airbus' Zephyr 8.
The Zephyr 8 embarked on a groundbreaking 64-day journey, covering an impressive distance of nearly 35,000 miles. Launched from Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, on June 15, the drone's mission concluded on August 18 after encountering events leading to its unexpected termination. Despite the unfortunate end, the Army Futures Command’s Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing/Space Cross-Functional Team, responsible for the test, emphasized that there were no injuries or risks to personnel or other aircraft.
The statement from Michael Monteleone, director of the cross-functional team, highlights the commitment to gather and analyze crucial data even after the unexpected termination. The incident, though unfortunate, provided invaluable insights into the endurance, efficiency, and station-keeping abilities of high-altitude UAS platforms. This knowledge is crucial for advancing requirements for reliable, modernized stratospheric capabilities for soldiers.
The Zephyr's role in boosting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities is noteworthy. It is envisioned as a low-cost, more capable alternative to satellites, capable of lingering over a specific area for extended periods. The drone's trajectory included climbing to over 60,000 feet into the stratosphere, executing a flight plan over the southern U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, and South America, marking several firsts for the aircraft.
The test set multiple records, with the Zephyr 8 surpassing the previous unmanned aerial system endurance record by more than double, clocking in at just under 26 days. Additionally, its 1,500 flight hours exceeded all known unmanned aircraft endurance records, demonstrating significant capabilities that will inform future mission requirements.
Key milestones included the departure from U.S. airspace, flight over water and international airspace, data collection with direct downlink while outside U.S. airspace, and resilient satellite command and control from three locations—Huntsville, Alabama, Yuma, and Farnborough, U.K.
As the Army plans to analyze the data generated during this extensive flight and investigates the reasons behind the termination, there won't be another flight demonstration until 2023. This hiatus underscores the importance of meticulous analysis to enhance the reliability and capabilities of such advanced aerospace technologies.
