Solar-powered Skydweller drone successfully completes flight tests for US military.

Skydweller Aero, a U.S.-headquartered aerospace company, announced on October 1, 2024, the successful completion of its initial uncrewed autonomous flight test campaign with the Skydweller, a solar-powered, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The campaign, conducted from the company's facility at Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Mississippi, included a series of test flights, the two longest lasting 16 hours and 22.5 hours. These tests represent a critical step toward demonstrating the feasibility of sustained, solar-powered, uncrewed flights that could remain airborne for weeks or even months, using only solar energy and batteries.
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Constructed entirely out of carbon fiber, the Skydweller aircraft boasts a wingspan equivalent to a Boeing 747, with the capacity to carry up to 800 pounds (363 kg) of payload (Picture source: Skydweller Aero)

The Skydweller test campaign was initiated under a Joint Concept Technology Demonstration (JCTD) by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD R&E) and supported by a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). The goal is to explore the use of autonomous maritime patrol aircraft, and Skydweller’s solar-powered capabilities were tested as a potential solution. The aircraft is designed to perform extreme long-endurance missions with zero carbon emissions, furthering the development of autonomous aviation.

Constructed entirely out of carbon fiber, the Skydweller aircraft boasts a wingspan equivalent to a Boeing 747, with the capacity to carry up to 800 pounds (363 kg) of payload. Its design enables it to execute a variety of uncrewed missions, including detecting drug smugglers and pirates at sea, providing continuous aerial surveillance over war zones, monitoring naval activity in contested waters, and tracking wildlife migration or poaching in Africa. These missions would otherwise require multiple manned or combustion-powered drone aircraft, but Skydweller's perpetual flight capability allows it to achieve these objectives more efficiently, at a fraction of the operational cost.

The company also emphasized the environmental benefits of the Skydweller, describing it as "green with zero carbon footprint" due to its reliance on solar power. According to Skydweller, each of these aircraft can replace a fleet of traditional drones or manned aircraft, offering cost savings of 10 to 100 times.

Dr. Robert Miller, CEO and co-founder of Skydweller Aero, hailed the campaign as a milestone for autonomous aviation. "This flight test campaign is an important achievement and validates our business vision, marking a new era in autonomous aviation," Miller said. "The data gathered validates our models for multi-day flights, and it’s a testament to our team’s dedication and innovation. We are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what uncrewed solar-powered aircraft can achieve."

Barry Matsumori, President and Chief Operating Officer of Skydweller Aero, added, "We have accomplished a major milestone toward demonstrating the feasibility of perpetual flight by leveraging global research and development investments in solar energy, battery storage, and ultra-lightweight carbon fiber assemblies. As these subsystems improve, we will continue to leverage them to benefit our customers."

The successful completion of this flight campaign further positions Skydweller Aero as a leader in sustainable aviation, setting the stage for future advancements in autonomous flight technology for both military and commercial applications.