Qinetiq has flight tested two solar-powered Zephyr 3 high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicles at the White Sands test range in New Mexico, USA. The design, which has a 12m (39ft) wingspan and weighs 27kg (60lb), reached an altitude of 27,000ft (8,200m) and demonstrated a 6h endurance during the trials, but could operate above 50,000ft.
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Source: Flight International
EHang’s EH216-S autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) has completed its first test flight using solid-state lithium batteries.
Chinese aerospace firm Air White Whale has assembled its first unmanned cargo aircraft – also the world’s largest – as it works towards eventual certification and delivery in 2026.
UK regulators have set out the steps needed to open the country’s airspace for widespread operation of uncrewed air systems (UAS) by 2027 to “maximise [their] economic and social benefits”.
