The
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency(DARPA) recently awarded
Boeinga $3.8m contract for the development of a new ultra-long-endurance aircraft as part of the Vulture programme.
The one-year contract covers Phase 1 of the project, which comprises conceptual system definition, formal reliability and mission success analysis and a system requirements review. Additional requirements include conceptual designs for demonstrators.
The DARPA Vulture programme calls for the development of a vehicle that can maintain an airborne payload of 5kW and weighing 454kg, on station for an uninterrupted period of more than five years using a fixed-wing aircraft.
Qinetiq has partnered with Boeing on the project, and aims to contribute by adapting technologies developed and demonstrated in its Zephyr - a solar-powered, long-endurance unmanned aerial system.
At present, geosynchronous satellites orbiting above Earth are the only systems capable of providing multiple years of coverage over a fixed area.
Massive new Coventry campus targets 60GWh battery output
Where will all the raw materials come from for the manufacturing process? How will they be transported to the factory and what is going to be done with the various scrap and residues?