Zephyr, a U.K. unmanned solar-powered plane will take off from a U.S. military proving ground in the next few days in an attempt to set a new endurance record, BBC News reported.
The aircraft, with a wingspan of 22.5 meters, was designed by the Qinetiq defense and research company. It had earlier performed flights of up to 83 hours, and will now try to stay in the air for about two weeks.
"We now have an aircraft that we believe is capable of actually fulfilling missions for the military or the civil user," project manager John Saltmarsh said.
During the day Zephyr uses state-of-the-art solar cells spread across its wings to recharge high-power lithium-sulphur batteries and drive two propellers. At night it is maintained in the air by energy stored in the batteries.
"We would offer it as a service. We would provide a 'hook in the sky' that you could put a payload on to, and we will guarantee to keep it up there 24 hours a day for a couple of months," he added.
It takes five adults to launch the 50-kg aircraft.
"The team runs gently into the wind until it wafts out of their hands. It's a very effective and reliable process, it's cheap and it works," Saltmarsh said.
MOSCOW, July 15 (RIA Novosti)
