A solar-powered spy drone that can sit in the sky for 45 days at a time is to become the latest futuristic kit to be given to Britain’s special forces. Described as a ‘psuedo-satellite’, the cutting-edge drone can fly at more than 70,000ft – twice the altitude of a commercial airliner – so high that it is not affected by the weather.
The £4.3 million ($5.6m) Star Trek-style Zephyr S will be used by the elite forces to track terror targets worldwide.
It flies by day on solar power which also recharges its lithium-sulphur batteries to power it by night.
With a wingspan of 22.5m (74 feet), it can be launched by four military personnel on their shoulders.
It can then be operated from anywhere in the world, using communication satellites to relay commands to the aircraft.
If satellites are not available, special forces soldiers will use a control station to fly it over a range of up to 400km (250 miles).
Elite units will then use the camera on the aircraft to monitor ground movement.
Its antennae provides a communications platform for the furthest reaches of the globe.
Sophisticated and lightweight, it has been said to resemble a Klingon Bird of Prey spaceship out of Star Trek.
British engineers at Airbus Group in Farnborough, came up with the radical design.
Full details of the unmanned aircraft cannot be revealed for security reasons.
Its name has been removed from Ministry of Defence documents – with a review describing it as an ‘investment in advanced high-altitude surveillance aircraft’.
But Defence Secretary Michael Fallon yesterday told the Daily Mail it was a ‘record-breaking kit’ that would help special forces deal with increased threats to Britain.
Announcing the MoD would order a third Zephyr drone for the special forces, Mr Fallon said: ‘Zephyr is a cutting edge, record-breaking piece of kit that will be capable of gathering constant, reliable information over vast geographical areas at a much greater level of detail than ever before.
‘They are part of our plan for stronger and better defence, backed by a budget that will rise each year of this decade. That means more ships, more aircraft, more troops available at readiness, better equipment for special forces, more being spent on cyber – to deal with the increased threats to our country.’
An MoD statement said: ‘Referred to as a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS), it performs more like a satellite than a conventional UAV.’
The order of a third drone is part of a £13-million contract with Airbus Defence and Space (ADS). The first two were ordered by the MoD in February.
Defence Equipment and Support Chief Executive, Tony Douglas, said: ‘Zephyr utilizes a wide range of innovative technologies with the aim of delivering a world leading disruptive capability.’
Trials on the drone will be held next year.
Daily Mail
