Ultra-lightweight solar-electric stratospheric UAV (HAPS) capable of months-long flight above 60,000 ft, for persistent surveillance and connectivity. Built by AALTO, an Airbus subsidiary in the UK.
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Fixed-wing |
| Subtype | Solar HAPS / HALE UAV |
| Role | Stratospheric ISR / connectivity |
| Class | HALE |
| Classification | High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) |
| Mission | Persistent ISR, comms relay |
| Variants | Zephyr S, Zephyr T (planned) |
| Notable partners | QinetiQ (original developer), UK MoD, US Army |
| MTOW (kg) | 75 |
| Operators | US Army (trials), UK MoD |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Propulsion | Electric |
| Wingspan (m) | 25 |
| Combat-proven | No |
| Launch method | Hand-launched |
| Autonomy level | Autonomous station-keeping |
| Endurance (min) | 37440 |
| Recovery method | Conventional landing |
| Max payload (kg) | 22.5 |
| Standard sensors | Optical; infrared; LIDAR; hyperspectral; SAR |
| Production status | In production / testing |
| Notable engagements | Set UAS endurance record of nearly 26 days |
| Service ceiling (m) | 21000 |
| Airframe / lift type | Fixed-wing |
| Control / autonomy level | Waypoint / GPS-guided |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | Comms relay, ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | Electric (LiPo / Li-ion) |
| Range / endurance | Long endurance (>24 hrs) |
| Signature / detectability | 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) |