British solar plane sets record by flying non-stop for three days

The Zephyr-6, created by UK defence and research firm QinetiQ, flew continuously for 82 hours, 37 minutes.

Solar panels glued to its wings and in-built lithium batteries that store power from the sunlight ready for when it is dark allow the unpiloted plane to run day and night.
America is looking for new technology to help support its troops on the ground. It is likely the unmanned plane will also be used by the UK once it is ready.

The 30kg plane has an 18-metre wingspan, looks like a giant model aircraft and is launched by hand.

But sophisticated technology means that once it is in the air, it can be guided remotely up to around 60,000ft and then flown on autopilot and via satellite communication.

Silicon solar modules no thicker than sheets of paper stuck to the plane’s wings generate the power needed to make it fly and the lithium batteries power it at night.

Hampshire-based QinetiQ are now working with aerospace giant Boeing on a defence project that would see the biggest solar-powered plane in history take to the sky.

Telegraph