Zephyr: A High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Air Vehicle ...

AbstractZephyr is a lightweight UAV designed to fly at altitudes up to 70,000ft for months ata time, powered using solar panels and rechargeable batteries. In 2008 the aircraftflew for over 80hours, nearly trebling the current record for the flight duration of anunmanned air vehicle. It has gone through several stages in development an\dundergone acceptance testing at appropriate stages in the system development. Aftereach trial to monitor its performance, Zephyr has been amended and developedfurther, and should be completed by 2010.The current aircraft weighs less than 30kg, has a wingspan of 18m and is handlaunched. In order to fly using solar power it must be lightweight to reduce powerrequirements needed to keep the aircraft in the sky. The structure is made of carbonfibre as this is a light and strong material. Every component on board the aircraft isessential to enable flight and is often custom manufactured to ensure it is aslightweight as possible.This report covers the history and background of Zephyr, the technical aspects thatenable Zephyr to fly, the tasks that I undertook during my year, who Zephyr’scompetitors are and what can be done to ensure Zephyr has a successful future bothtechnically and commercially.ii