Production-standard solar-powered HALE/HAPS unmanned aircraft (Zephyr S / Zephyr 8). In 2018 a Zephyr S set a fixed-wing endurance record of nearly 26 days; a US Army Zephyr 8 flew 64 days in 2022. Operates in the stratosphere for persistent ISR and connectivity.
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Fixed-wing |
| Subtype | Solar HALE / HAPS UAV |
| Role | persistent ISR / comms relay |
| Class | HALE |
| Classification | HALE / HAPS (pseudo-satellite) |
| Mission | persistent ISR, communications/connectivity relay, surveillance |
| Datalink | satellite / BLOS |
| Variants | Zephyr S, Zephyr 8 (US Army) |
| MTOW (kg) | 75 |
| Operators | UK, US Army (trials) |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Propulsion | solar-electric (battery for night) |
| Wingspan (m) | 25 |
| Combat-proven | No |
| Launch method | hand-launch (crew) |
| Autonomy level | autonomous |
| Endurance (min) | 92160 |
| Recovery method | belly/skid landing |
| Year introduced | 2018 |
| Max payload (kg) | 5 |
| Standard sensors | EO/IR / comms payload |
| Production status | in development/operational testing |
| Notable engagements | 2018 ~26-day record; 2022 US Army 64-day flight |
| Service ceiling (m) | 23200 |
| Airframe / lift type | Fixed-wing |
| Control / autonomy level | Fully autonomous (human-off-the-loop, AI-navigated), RC line-of-sight – BVLOS |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | Comms relay, ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | Electric (LiPo / Li-ion), Solar-augmented |
| Range / endurance | Long endurance (>24 hrs) |
| Signature / detectability | GNSS-dependent, RCS – small |
| Strike depth / operational role | Mothership / relay (carrier drone launching FPVs or extending link range) |
| Threat vector | Surveillance / reconnaissance |
| Weight / class | Class I – Small (20–150 kg), FAA >25 kg (Part 137 / waiver) |