The British defense company BAE Systems showed a test flight of the PHASA-35, a light high-altitude drone, which, according to the idea, can remain in the air for a year at an altitude of about 20 km. It is equipped with solar panels that charge the batteries during the day, and at night the drone switches to power from them and functions further.
They want to use the device for reconnaissance, border control, communication, including 5G (can lift antennas up to 40 kg) and disaster relief through monitoring the situation. It is designed as a cheaper alternative to satellites.
The PHASA-35 test flight was carried out a year ago at the Woomera test site in Australia, and further tests are now underway. In the fall of 2020, the drone with the payload flew 72 hours in simulated harsh stratospheric conditions.
The Pentagon and its partners among private companies are interested in him, so BAE Systems will conduct demonstration flights in the United States.
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The UAV uses “an innovative aerodynamic design combined with advanced solar technology and ultra-light long-life batteries,” the developers write. The PHASA-35 has a wingspan of 35 meters and weighs only 150 kg.

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