Solar drone with jumbo jet wingspan breaks record before sinking

A solar-powered drone operated by Skydweller Aero set a new endurance record with a flight lasting more than eight days between late April and early May. The aircraft, with a wingspan comparable to a jumbo jet, was designed for extended flights using only renewable energy and batteries.

This carbon-fiber aircraft, with a 72-meter wingspan covered by over 17,000 solar cells, was adapted from Solar Impulse 2 to serve as a test platform for uncrewed, long-endurance flights. The drone was used in maritime patrol missions for the US military, including contracts with the Navy and the Air Force.

It took off from Mississippi during a Navy exercise near Florida, where it performed surveillance with radar, thermal imaging, and communication relays. It also acted as a flying communications hub for Navy aircraft and ships, demonstrating advanced tech integration for maritime operations.

After completing the exercise in late April, the drone continued flying over the Caribbean, between Cuba and Yucatán, facing extreme weather conditions. On May 4, amid a severe storm, the drone exhausted its energy reserves and performed a controlled water ditching. It subsequently sank due to its non-buoyant, composite structure.

This record-breaking flight of over eight days and 14 minutes surpasses previous solar aircraft endurance records and highlights the potential of solar drones for military and civilian use. Despite the loss, Skydweller Aero plans future upgrades to improve resilience against harsh weather, amid increasing Pentagon investments in drone technology.

The story of Skydweller's solar drone, once a symbol of sustainable aviation innovation, ends with its sinking but leaves a legacy of technological progress and ongoing challenges for the future.