Larger than Boeing 747: US tests massive solar-powered drone

American aerospace company Skydweller Aero has successfully conducted a series of test flights with an enormous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) powered entirely by solar energy.

As reported by Interesting Engineering, the drone features a wingspan of approximately 72 meters—surpassing that of a Boeing 747—and recently completed a continuous flight of 74 hours.

Skydweller Aero aims to develop a heavier-than-air flying platform capable of remaining aloft without landing for at least three months.

While the project is being developed for the US Air Force, the company is exploring potential civilian uses for the solar- and battery-powered UAV. Such applications could include monitoring air quality over extended periods, tracking animal migrations, and aiding in anti-poaching and anti-smuggling operations.

A standout feature of the Skydweller drone is its high payload capacity, which can reach up to 380 kilograms. Unlike previous solar-powered aircraft projects that minimised structural and payload weight to extend flight time, Skydweller Aero has achieved a balance between endurance and carrying capacity, opening the door for practical applications.

The UAV’s batteries alone weigh 635 kilograms. During nighttime operations, these batteries are recharged by a network of 17,000 solar cells covering the wings and fuselage.

The panels can produce up to 100 kilowatts of power, sufficient to operate the drone’s four electric propulsion motors, supply onboard systems, and recharge the batteries for post-sunset flight.

In just four recent flights, the drone accumulated 222 hours of flight time, with the last two missions lasting 73 and 74 hours, demonstrating the platform’s capabilities. However, significant work remains before the UAV can achieve continuous flight of 30 to 90 days. Ideally, the aircraft would only touch down for maintenance, potentially remaining airborne “indefinitely.”

By Tamilla Hasanova