QinetiQ Zephyr
Encyclopedia
Zephyr is a lightweight solar-powered UAV
which was originally designed and built by the QQ1 "Edge of Space" team who were sponsored by the United Kingdom
defence firm, Qinetiq
. It is of carbon-fibre
construction, and uses sunlight to charge a lithium sulphur battery during the day, which powers the aircraft at night. The aircraft has been designed for use in observation and communications relay.
The Zephyr holds the official endurance record for an unmanned aerial vehicle for its flight from 9 July to 23 July 2010, lasting 336 hours and 22 minutes (2 weeks / 14 days).
Record claims have been verified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
for both duration and altitude, at 21,562 meters. It beat the previous endurance record for unmanned flight by more than a factor of five.
In a 2008 demonstration for the US military, a smaller-scale version of the Zephyr performed beyond the official world record for the longest-duration unmanned flight, however its 82-hour flight at an altitude of 61,000 feet did not set an official record because FAI
officials were not involved in the flight.
The latest version of Zephyr is now 50% bigger than its predecessors. The vehicle has a wingspan of 22.5 m, and features a new wingtip and tail design that dramatically improve aero performance. It also has a wider configuration near the main body to accommodate more equipment. In addition, the avionics and power management systems on board have been upgraded.
The new vehicle is bigger and takes five individuals to launch, as opposed to the three previously. The team runs gently into the wind until it lifts out of their hands. Launch Video
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
which was originally designed and built by the QQ1 "Edge of Space" team who were sponsored by the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
defence firm, Qinetiq
QinetiQ
Qinetiq is a British global defence technology company, formed from the greater part of the former UK government agency, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency , when it was split up in June 2001...
. It is of carbon-fibre
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
construction, and uses sunlight to charge a lithium sulphur battery during the day, which powers the aircraft at night. The aircraft has been designed for use in observation and communications relay.
The Zephyr holds the official endurance record for an unmanned aerial vehicle for its flight from 9 July to 23 July 2010, lasting 336 hours and 22 minutes (2 weeks / 14 days).
Record claims have been verified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
for both duration and altitude, at 21,562 meters. It beat the previous endurance record for unmanned flight by more than a factor of five.
In a 2008 demonstration for the US military, a smaller-scale version of the Zephyr performed beyond the official world record for the longest-duration unmanned flight, however its 82-hour flight at an altitude of 61,000 feet did not set an official record because FAI
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
officials were not involved in the flight.
Design
The vehicle can circle over a particular area for extended periods. The military uses the vehicle for reconnaissance and communications platforms. Civilian and scientific programmes use it for Earth observation. During the day, Zephyr uses its state-of-the-art solar cells spread across its wings to recharge high-power lithium-sulphur batteries and drive two propellers. At night, the energy stored in the batteries is sufficient to maintain Zephyr in the sky. The batteries are Lithium Sulphur batteries supplied by Sion.The latest version of Zephyr is now 50% bigger than its predecessors. The vehicle has a wingspan of 22.5 m, and features a new wingtip and tail design that dramatically improve aero performance. It also has a wider configuration near the main body to accommodate more equipment. In addition, the avionics and power management systems on board have been upgraded.
The new vehicle is bigger and takes five individuals to launch, as opposed to the three previously. The team runs gently into the wind until it lifts out of their hands. Launch Video
Flight
The 53 kg Zephyr will probably climb to about 40,000 ft on its first day, and then try to maintain 60,000 ft thereafter. It is likely to lose about 20,000 ft each night.Technical specifications
See also
- NASA Pathfinder
- Solar Impulse project
- Vulture (UAV)
External links
- Zephyr product information on QinetiQ website