Airbus Zephyr 6

Airbus Zephyr 6 is a solar‑powered high‑altitude long‑endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft developed through a partnership between QinetiQ and Airbus Defence and Space. The programme traces its roots to the 2003 Cambridge University‑led Zephyr project, which set early endurance records and attracted QinetiQ’s investment in 2008. After successive prototypes, the Zephyr 6, unveiled in 2022, incorporates more than 20 square metres of lightweight photovoltaic cells covering its 60‑metre wingspan, enabling continuous day‑night operation without fuel. Its carbon‑fiber airframe weighs under 150 kg yet can cruise at 70 km/h while sustaining altitudes above 20 km, where it remains above commercial air traffic and weather systems. Advanced autonomous flight control and a low‑power payload suite allow it to host communications relay, earth‑observation and environmental‑monitoring instruments for periods exceeding 30 days on a single solar cycle. The aircraft’s record‑breaking 25‑day flight in 2023 demonstrated the feasibility of persistent, low‑cost aerial platforms, reshaping concepts of satellite replacement and border surveillance. Zephyr 6’s blend of renewable energy, ultra‑light construction, and persistent presence marks a pivotal step toward sustainable, high‑altitude aviation and opens new commercial and defence opportunities. Its success also encourages further research into solar‑powered flight, promising future missions that could operate for months without ground support.