Skydweller Aero Unveils Solar-Powered Surveillance Drone for Long-Term Missions

A groundbreaking solar-powered surveillance drone, known as the Skydweller drone, has been introduced by US-Spanish firm Skydweller Aero. With a massive wingspan surpassing that of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet, this innovative drone is designed to conduct extended missions lasting weeks or even months, monitoring activities such as drug smuggling, piracy, and naval operations. Test flights of the Skydweller drone have been successfully carried out off the US Gulf Coast, showcasing its exceptional capabilities.

The Skydweller drone boasts a remarkable wingspan of 72 meters, making it larger than most commercial passenger aircraft. Despite its size, the drone weighs only 2500 kilograms, equivalent to a Ford F-150 truck. Based on the Solar Impulse 2 aircraft that completed the world’s first solar-powered circumnavigation in 2016, Skydweller Aero has repurposed this technology to create a fleet of solar-powered drones capable of continuous flight at altitudes exceeding 13 kilometers during daylight hours.

In April 2024, the Skydweller drone achieved the world’s first uncrewed and autonomous flight of a solar-powered aircraft. Subsequent test flights, including one lasting more than 22 hours, have demonstrated the drone’s endurance and reliability. Supported by US military funding, these tests have focused on evaluating the drone’s suitability for maritime surveillance missions.

Most notably, the Skydweller drone recently completed its longest flight to date, taking off from Stennis International Airport in Mississippi and remaining airborne over the Gulf Coast for over three days before landing on July 23. Equipped with a payload capacity of 400 kilograms and a cutting-edge airborne surveillance radar developed by Thales, the drone sets a new standard in long-duration aerial surveillance.

Despite the significant advancements in solar-powered drone technology, the commercial viability of such systems remains uncertain. Previous efforts by tech giants like Google and Facebook to develop solar-powered drones for internet delivery have been abandoned, highlighting the challenges in translating theoretical benefits into practical applications. Aerospace companies like Airbus, which invested in the Zephyr solar-electric drone, have yet to see substantial returns on their investments.

Arthur Holland Michel, a research partner at the Peace Research Institute Oslo, notes that while solar drones offer impressive capabilities, establishing a sustainable business model for their widespread adoption remains a hurdle. Despite ongoing interest from militaries and private companies, the long-term success of solar-powered drones in commercial operations is still to be determined.