Solar-Powered UAV With 400-Foot Wingspan Can Stay Aloft 5 Years

The SolarEagle, Boeing’s newly announced unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV), has a 400-foot wingspan and will be capable of remaining aloft in the stratosphere for at least five years. Potential customers include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and various telecommunications operators.

The solar-electric-powered aircraft can cruise at altitudes above 60,000 feet at a speed of 70 to 80 knots while performing communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The SolarEagle, which is being developed by Boeing’s Phantom Works’ rapid prototyping shop, will be able to carry payloads of up to 1,000 pounds. During the day, the SolarEagle will harvest solar energy and store it in fuel cells for use at night. The aircraft will have solar arrays attached to its plastic skin that cover more than 50 percent of its surface. It has highly efficient electrical motors and propellers and a high aspect-ratio wing similar to a glider for increased solar power and aerodynamic performance. 

Before the five-year SolarEagle is launched, a demonstrator will test the aircraft’s flight characteristics, flying 30-to-90-day missions at the same altitudes. The demonstrator is scheduled to make its first flight in 2013. Tech News Daily