Airbus Zephyr - HAPS

[ArmChairCivvy]

Great achievement!

But if you think of such UAVs supporting a RN CTF (as an example) they would run into bad weather, at times, re: still airborne over Arizona
- is the answer to reserve power liquid hydrogen, or what gives the best power for weight trade-off? Recognising there might be no need at all, and could turn out to be dead weight, reducing sensor load/ comms relay kit

[RunningStrong]

Great achievement!

But if you think of such UAVs supporting a RN CTF (as an example) they would run into bad weather, at times, re: still airborne over Arizona
- is the answer to reserve power liquid hydrogen, or what gives the best power for weight trade-off? Recognising there might be no need at all, and could turn out to be dead weight, reducing sensor load/ comms relay kit

It's flying at 58,000 ft, upto 70,000 ft. I'm not sure what bad weather considerations you'd come across.

[RunningStrong]

It's flying at 58,000 ft, upto 70,000 ft. I'm not sure what bad weather considerations you'd come across.

This is correct, descent to 58,000ft overnight as batteries are used, then return to 70,000ft+ during the day. That already good figure will only improve with time as batteries improve.

[ArmChairCivvy]

correct, descent to 58,000ft overnight as batteries are used, then return to 70,000ft+ during the day.

OK, so a CTF 'steaming' into the Barents Sea, as the wing blows
"the strongest jet streams are the polar jets, at 9–12 km (5.6–7.5 mi; 30,000–39,000 ft) above sea level, and the higher altitude"
... what might be the higher altitude?
can have such cover (overwatch - or back-up to satellities) as they proceed.

Will the HAPS have enough power to come back, as well
... or will it have to follow the narrative in the book "The Long Way Around"

[Dahedd]

Day 48.....previous record was 26 days (well 3 minutes under).

They've got to be going for the absolute record now...64 days.

[Timmymagic]

56 days airborne....only 9 to go for the all time record...

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=ae1313

[Timmymagic]

Set your alarms...they're definitely going for it...6.5 days to go....

[Phil R]

The story of the existing record that John provided a link to is a cracking read...well worth the time...

https://www.damninteresting.com/the-unc ... -hacienda/

[Timmymagic]

So, so close to the record.....

Although its an amazing achievement in itself, including the trip to Belize, and is far, far beyond where anyone else is....can't help thinking if this is an issue with the anhedral join in the wing that they may have to do a re-design or the Phasa 35 team are going to catch up rapidly.

This is the 3rd full loss. Bound to happen when you're pushing the boundaries (and 2 appear to have been related to challenging weather conditions at Wyndham).

[Timmymagic]

Good article from Tim Robinson

[SW1]

[Timmymagic]

Don't you just love pointless rebranding....





https://www.aerospacetestinginternation ... aalto.html

Story from above:

Airbus has branded the company set up to sell its Zephyr stratospheric persistent drone as Aalto.

Airbus’ Zephyr is a HAPS (high altitude persistent station/satellite) that the company has been developing since 2013, but which can trace its history back to a project started in 2003 by UK aerospace and defense company QinetiQ. The Zephyr is expected to enter service next year.

HAPS such as Zephyr are designed to stay aloft in the stratosphere for extended periods of time-powered by solar panels, so they can provide communications and observation capabilities.

Several so-called “pseudo satellites” are at various stages of development around the world, intended for a mix of civil and defense applications from battlefield disaster communications to disaster relief and scientific research.

Last year Zephyr achieved a key development milestone when it completed a flight trial for Japanese mobile network provider NTT Docomo, when it successfully provided wireless broadband connectivity during an 18-day test flight in the USA.

Airbus has subsequently created Aalto HAPS as a subsidiary to sell Zephyr as mobile connectivity and earth observation platform to commercial and government customers.

The company has appointed former Intelsat and OneWeb executive Samer Halawi as Aalto’s CEO. He said in a statement, “AALTO’s Zephyr aircraft is the only HAPS platform that delivers long-lasting, environmentally-friendly low latency 5G Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity solutions, allowing mobile network operators to extend their coverage in a profitable way to rural and remote areas.

“Furthermore, our earth observation solutions will support the management of forest fires, the protection of borders, and will enable precision agriculture, amongst other applications. For AALTO, the future is stratospheric”.

During last year’s flight campaign Zephyr flew for more than 64 days, non-stop, in the stratosphere, at around 70,000ft (21,336m). According to Airbus is also the only fixed-wing HAPS to have proven day and night longevity in the stratosphere.

[Timmymagic]

Looks like Zephyr finally has competition.....

Believed to be a Phasa 35 on a test flight...

[Timmymagic]

Looks like it was...Zephyr has competition...

Be interesting to see how quickly they progress through trials to try and catch up wth Zephyr..



BAE press release including video...

https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/p ... ric-flight

[Timmymagic]