Zephyr is a hand-launched carbon fibre HALE UAV, a high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

“By day it flies on solar power generated by amorphous silicon solar arrays that cover the aircraft’s wings,” said Qinetiq. “By night it is powered by rechargeable lithium-sulphur batteries, supplied by SION Power.”

The flight trial took place in the desert at Yuma Arizona. “Zephyr was flown on autopilot and via satellite communications to a maximum altitude of more than 60,000ft [20,000m],” said Qinetiq. “The trial included a military utility assessment of a US government communications payload.”

The MoD has funded the development of Zephyr to date and has partnered with the US Department of Defense under the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration Programme - aimed at getting technology to US troops.

“The US DoD funded the demonstration flight under the Programme and this was the first time the two governments have participated in a joint demonstration of a HALE UAV,” said Qinetiq.

Potential applications for Zephyr include military and civil earth observation and communications relay.