BAE Systems
In addition to Defense applications, the drone can be used to improve 5G communications and for disaster response.
A cutting-edge spy drone, the PHASA-35is breaking new ground in aviation and surveillance technology. Developed by British defense giant BAE Systems, this High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) recently completed a significant test flight, marking a milestone in its journey towards potentially transformative satellite applications.
The PHASA-35, an ultralight solar-electric aircraft, has a wingspan of 35 meters and an exceptionally slim design. Operated remotely, the drone is equipped with solar panels and advanced energy storage, allowing it to fly without refueling for long periods.
In theory, the aircraft can stay in the air up to one yearchallenging conventional aviation and satellite norms. This capability could position PHASA-35 as a cost-effective and versatile alternative to satellites, which are expensive to install and maintain.
During its latest test at Spaceport America in New Mexico, PHASA-35 achieved impressive results. The drone hit a altitude of 20 110 meters and carried a payload twice as heavy as in previous tests. With its advanced resistance, the drone has the potential to provide information, surveillance and reconnaissance services to military, government and commercial entities, explains .
BAE Systems envisions the PHASA-35 to play a key role beyond defense. It could serve as platform for 5G communicationsdisaster response and border security, offering these services at a fraction of the cost of traditional satellite systems. The drone’s ability to maintain sustained flight over specific areas for months is also promising for more sustainable and accessible technological applications.
PHASA-35 can potentially break aviation endurance records. The current record, set in the late 1950s by pilots Robert Timm and John Cook, is almost 65 days.
More recently, in 2022, a solar-powered drone called Zephyr attempted to surpass this record, but crashed before it even managed to do so. If PHASA-35 realizes its one-year flight potential, it will redefine aviation endurance benchmarks.
