Military Space News
UAV NEWS
AV boosts stratospheric payload capacity for solar-powered aircraft
illustration only
AV boosts stratospheric payload capacity for solar-powered aircraft
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 08, 2024

AeroVironment (AV) recently completed a successful flight test of its updated Sunglider, showcasing advancements in its High-Altitude Platform-Station (HAPS) capabilities for both commercial and government markets. The new version, Horus A, is designed specifically for government applications, offering enhanced stratospheric performance as a solar-powered UAS. It is capable of carrying payloads up to 150 lb, with 1.5 kW of available power.

Horus A introduces improvements across the aircraft's design and avionics, including increased autonomy and additional redundant systems to ensure mission success. The U.S. Army granted airworthiness approval for Horus A, and the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate, enabling the aircraft to undergo flight testing in national airspace.

These advancements will be incorporated into further Sunglider development through AeroVironment's collaboration with SoftBank, with the goal of maximizing payload capacity and flight persistence to fully leverage stratospheric technology.

"During this recent Horus A flight, we demonstrated the ability to carry multiple payloads for the U.S. DoD and transmit real-time data, advancing the viability of HAPS for government applications," said Jeff Rodrian, AV's senior vice president and general manager of MacCready Works.

"This flight marks another milestone in our stratospheric platform's progress. It underscores AV's leadership in developing solar-powered, high-altitude systems with significant potential for commercial and government applications."

In this test, Horus A successfully operated both a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and a Tactical Grade Mesh Network radio, validating the aircraft's new and redundant systems. The platform also demonstrated its ability to withstand turbulent weather, completing the flight test safely and ready for future extended missions.

Horus A's satellite-based BLOS radio and advanced avionics and datalink suite are designed to provide critical defense capabilities, such as resilient communications, Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT), Space Domain Awareness, and long-endurance ISR. These capabilities could enable smaller uncrewed systems, like the Switchblade 600, to function more effectively in battlefield operations.

Following the support of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering, and the Rapid Prototyping Programs during the recent flight, AV plans to continue advancing Horus A toward operational readiness.

The ongoing partnership with SoftBank aims to position Sunglider as a key player in future connectivity solutions, including 5G and beyond.

Related Links
AeroVironment
UAV News - Suppliers and Technology

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
UAV NEWS
Pro-Iran groups in Iraq claim drone attack against Israel: statement
Baghdad (AFP) Sept 22, 2024
An Iraqi coalition of pro-Iran armed groups claimed on Sunday a drone attack against Israel, where the military said it had intercepted "multiple suspicious aerial targets" coming from Iraq overnight. "The fighters of the Islamic Resistance of Iraq targeted on Sunday morning a strategic location in the occupied territories using drones," the Iraqi coalition said in a statement on Telegram, referring to Israel, and adding it was carried out "in support of our people in Gaza". The attack caused no ... read more

UAV NEWS
West 'afraid' to even talk about helping shoot down Russian missiles: Zelensky

German army activates air-defence system, citing Russia threat

Major progress repored in Next-Gen OPIR Missile Warning Program

Poland says has 'duty' to down stray Russian missiles

UAV NEWS
Taiwan on alert after detecting China missile firing

Yemen's Huthis say fired missile at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport

Israeli military says intercepted missile fired from Yemen

Philippines military backs permanent stay of US missile system

UAV NEWS
Skill and technique in Bronze Age spear fighting revealed through new research

AV boosts stratospheric payload capacity for solar-powered aircraft

Northrop Grumman highlights MQ-4C Triton navigation test over Arctic Ocean

Iran unveils new drone, missile amid rising tensions

UAV NEWS
BlackSky secures US Navy contract for Gen-3 Optical Intersatellite Links

Viasat partners with CYSEC for satellite cybersecurity solutions

GMV to lead development of communications hub for EU's GOVSATCOM program

Astranis secures cxontract to add military Ka band to Omega satellites

UAV NEWS
China's rapid military build-up a 'serious concern': Japan govt spokesman

Australian training mishap puts 12 Singapore troops in hospital

Hezbollah says Israel crossed "all red lines" with electronic device attacks

Sweden boosts 2025 defence budget to 2.4% of GDP

UAV NEWS
Russia plans sharp defence spending hike in 2025

Israel says secures $8.7 bn US military aid package

NATO member Romania signs $920 mn defence loan with US

Israeli economy struggles under weight of Gaza war

UAV NEWS
'Teflon Mark' Rutte to stick to his guns as NATO chief

NATO gets a new chief - but don't expect a revolution

Trump to Putin: the key challenges facing Rutte at NATO

Spiralling Middle East crisis sidelines diplomats

UAV NEWS
New Technique Enables Mass Production of Metal Nanowires

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.