BAE's PHASA-35 Solar aircraft completes stratospheric trials

Designed to operate as a high-altitude, long-endurance surveillance and reconnaissance platform the aircraft – defined as a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) - has been designed by BAE Systems subsidiary Prismatic, a division of the company’s FalconWorks advanced research and development arm.

Alongside reconnaissance, the aircraft has the potential to be used in the delivery of communications networks including 4G and 5G and could be used in a wide range of applications, such as disaster relief and border protection, as a cost-effective alternative to traditional airborne and satellite systems.

With a 35-metre wingspan and a payload carrying capacity of up to 15kg, PHASA-35 makes use of a range of technologies including advanced composites, thermal management, and photo-voltaic arrays to provide energy during the day which is stored in high performance rechargeable cells to maintain flight overnight.

During the first flight at Spaceport America in New Mexico, US the solar powered aircraft flew for 24 hours climbing to more than 66,000 feet and cruising in the stratosphere, before successfully landing in a serviceable condition, meaning it was ready to fly again just two days later.