Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Skydweller autonomous solar-powered aircraft completes first flight

Aerospace

Skydweller autonomous solar-powered aircraft completes first flight

Skydweller, an uncrewed solar-powered aircraft which has a wingspan greater than a 747 and leaves no carbon footprint, has just completed the world’s first successful autonomous/unmanned/uncrewed flight of a large solar-powered aircraft, taking off, flying and landing by itself, without humans on-board or in control.


 
Image courtesy Skydweller Aero
 
The aircraft’s manufacturer, Skydweller Aero, which is the only global manufacturer of large, autonomous solar-powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight, conducted the flight from Stennis International Airport, USA. Robert Miller, CEO, Skydweller Aero, said: “This is a true, world-changing first in the aerospace industry.

Advertisement
Teledyne
Advertisement
DSEI 2025

“Our fleet of uncrewed aircraft will enable a multitude of long-duration missions that support national security and non-terrestrial communications with revolutionary cost savings.”
 
Skydwellers can be deployed for long-duration missions such as providing continuous aerial overage above conflict zones, surveilling naval activity in contested waters without risking pilots’ lives, detecting drug smugglers and pirates at sea and tracking wildlife migration and poaching in Africa.
 
“This really is a first when it comes to national security and protecting Americans,” said Senator Roger Wicker, ranking member of the US Senate Armed Services Committee who unveiled a Skydweller aircraft to the public last month. “It really is great news and it’s only the beginning.”
 
Skydweller aircraft are capable of perpetual flight, staying aloft for 90 days or more, at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet. In contrast, current combustion-powered aircraft, including piloted aircraft and drones, are limited to approximately 40 hours maximum flight time, limited by the endurance of pilots, the amount of fuel a conventional aircraft can carry and the need for frequent maintenance.
 
“We are applying cutting-edge, 21st century materials science, artificial intelligence and software development to an industry that has spent more than 100 years building piloted, combustion-based aircraft,” Miller continued. “This allows Skydweller to leap ahead of heritage aircraft manufacturers in terms of aircraft performance, flight duration and cost effectiveness.”
 
Skydwellers can accomplish missions with a single aircraft that has historically required a fleet of conventional aircraft, flight crews and maintenance personnel. A single Skydweller aircraft capable of perpetual flight, coupled with minimal operating personnel, replaces all of this cost for the same mission. As such, solar-powered Skydwellers are 10 to 100 times less expensive to operate than conventional aircraft for long duration missions.
 
Furthermore, autonomous aircraft directly save lives by removing the need for flight crews to be physically present in hostile or dangerous airspace. For example, a Skydweller aircraft can take off from the United States, fly itself to the South China Sea and stay in the air on mission for weeks or months before returning home. Additionally, autonomy enables not just traditional long-duration missions but also new missions that would have formerly been deemed unacceptable due to risk to the flight crew.
 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Flights increase as summer hots up

Aerospace

Flights increase as summer hots up

18 July 2025

UK air traffic in June increased by 2.5% on the same month last year as NATS, the UK’s major provider of air traffic services, safely handled 237,215 flights, up more than 2,600 on May.

ZeroAvia granted patents for hydrogen-electric engine development

Aerospace

ZeroAvia granted patents for hydrogen-electric engine development

17 July 2025

ZeroAvia today announced it has been awarded nine new patents this year so far, with many critical to the company’s roadmap for scaling hydrogen-electric engines for large regional aircraft.

BBGA co-hosts Isle of Man Aviation Conference

Aerospace

BBGA co-hosts Isle of Man Aviation Conference

17 July 2025

For the first time, the British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) joined Martyn Fiddler as joint hosts of the 13th Isle of Man Aviation Conference, bringing together 120 business aviation delegates at Douglas’ Villa Marina venue.

Flying to become more accessible for disabled people

Aerospace

Flying to become more accessible for disabled people

16 July 2025

An industry and consumer expert group, tasked by the UK Government to advise on how to make flying more accessible for disabled people, has unveiled its suite of recommendations today.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

Aerospace

Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

15 July 2025

Doncasters today announced the successful commissioning of a brand-new, fully automated shell line, at its Groton facility in the US - a major milestone within its 2025 Performance Improvement Plan and a key advancement in the company’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

Aerospace

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

15 July 2025

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft today announced plans to work together on developing regional hydrogen-electric VTOL air travel.

Advertisement
ODU RT