Cars and Wheels

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Airbus unveils its massive solar-powered drone that can stay in the air for 45 DAYS, after successful test flight in Arizona

Airbus unveiled its Zephyr S 'pseudo-satellite' at Britain's Farnborough airshow after flight test on July 11
Will be used for military surveillance, and civilian purposes, with first contract with Britain's defense ministry
The Zephyr S craft can fly as high as 70,000ft in the air, which is twice the altitude of a commercial airplane

Airbus has unveiled its pioneering solar-powered drone.

Called the Zephyr S, the aerospace giant presented the 'pseudo-satellite' to crowds gathered at Britain's Farnborough airshow.

In a major milestone, the massive drone completed its first test flight from Arizona on July 11, Airbus said.

Airbus has unveiled its pioneering solar-powered drone. Called the Zephyr S, the aerospace giant presented the 'pseudo-satellite' to crowds gathered at Britain's Farnborough airshow

'This maiden flight of the Zephyr S aims to prove and demonstrate the aircraft capabilities, with a landing date to be confirmed once the engineering objectives have been achieved,' Airbus said in a statement announcing the test flight.

'Until today, the Zephyr aircraft has logged almost 1,000 solid hours of flying time.'

Zephyr S has been in development for over a year and will be used by British military forces as a high-tech aircraft to monitor targets on the ground from anywhere in the world.

The High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) can fly as high as 70,000ft in the air, which is twice the altitude of a commercial airplane.

It has a wingspan of 82 feet, but is still ultra-light, weighing in at fewer than 55lbs. Zephyr S can also float in the air for up to 45 days at a time.

The High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite can fly as high as 70,000ft in the air, which is twice the altitude of a commercial airplane. It can also float in the air for up to 45 days at a time

During the day, it's powered by solar energy that also recharges its lithium-sulphur batteries, which then serve as its energy source at night.

Airbus will now be flying Zephyr S from an operating site in Western Australia.

'This has been chosen as the first launch and recovery site for the Zephyr [Unmanned Aerial Vehicle] due mainly to its largely unrestricted airspace and reliable weather,' Airbus noted.

WHAT IS AIRBUS' ZEPHYR-S 'PSEUDO-SATELLITE?

The Zephyr S has been built by Airbus Defence and Space engineers.

It is powered by the sun during the day, which also recharges its lithium-sulphur batteries to power it by night. Its huge 22.5m wingspan means it can be launched by four military personnel on their shoulders.

The £‘psuedo-satellite’ can fly at more than 70,000ft – twice the altitude of a commercial airliner.

British military forces will use the high-tech aircraft to monitor targets on the ground from anywhere in the world.

The Zephyr drones will play vital roles in tracking targets in the ground using high tech antennae and a 'record-breaking kit' for high altitude surveillanceThe site will be operational beginning in September, the firm added.

In addition to the Zephyr S, Airbus is also planning another HAPS called the Zephyr T.

It would feature a wingspan of more than 100ft, allowing it to carry bigger payloads.

The drones are 'a mix between a satellite and a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) with the capabilities of a satellite and the flexibility of a UAV,' Jana Rosenmann, senior vice president of unmanned aerial systems at Airbus, told AFP.

In addition to the Zephyr S, Airbus is also planning another HAPS called the Zephyr T. It would feature a wingspan of more than 100ft, allowing it to carry bigger payloads

Elite units will use the camera on the aircraft to monitor ground movement. Its antennae provides a communications platform for the furthest reaches of the globe

Aside from national security uses, the drones will also be used for maritime surveillance, border patrol missions and forest fire detection, according to the AFP.

If satellites are not available, special forces soldiers will use a control station to fly it over a range of up to 400km (250 miles).

Elite units will then use the camera on the aircraft to monitor ground movement.

Its antennae provides a communications platform for the furthest reaches of the globe.

Volvo-owned startup Terrafugia's flying car prototype will go on sale in 2019

Startup Terrafugia said its 'street-legal plane' Transition will go on sale in 2019
The flying car has been in development for several years and has received several upgrades to its interiors, safety, rear-view cameras, motor and more
It's unclear how much Transition will cost or when it will be available next year

Volvo-owned flying car startup Terrafugia's Transition flying car is set to hit the shelves in 2019.

The hybrid-electric vehicle has been in development for the past several years, but is now a giant leap closer to becoming available to the public.

According to Terrafugia, the first production vehicles will come to market next year.

Volvo-owned flying car startup Terrafugia's Transition flying car is set to go on sale in 2019. The firm has also made some updates to the two-seat vehicle's interior and other features

The firm has also made some updates to the two-seat vehicle's interior, safety systems, motor and flight instruments.

'Developing this new technology has allowed us to test several different mechanisms and generate process improvements along the way,' Terrafugia CEO Chris Jaran said in a statement.

'We are at the critical point where we can implement the best design features based on years of flight and drive testing.

'This will improve function, safety and aesthetics for the optimal flying and driving experience,' Jaran explained.

Among the improvements are a hybrid-electric motor, upgraded seats, more luggage storage, improved seat belts, airbags, rear-view cameras and a new parachute system, as well as 'boost' mode, which gives 'a brief burst of extra power while flying.'

The hybrid-electric motor includes a traditional internal combustion engine and a lithium phosphate chemistry battery, which Terrafugia says is 'much safer than other lithium' batteries.

It's unclear how much the Transition will cost or when exactly it will be released next year.

Potential buyers should be pleased to learn that Transition, also called a 'street-legal airplane,' was certified as a Light Sport Aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2016.

Transition can fly at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour while in airplane mode and it can fly as high as 10,000 feet. Consumers will also need a pilot's license in order operate the Transition

WHAT IS TERRAFUGIA'S 'TRANSITION' CRAFT?

Terrafugia's Transition was recently granted an exemption by the FAA, allowing it to be classified as a 'light-sport' craft, according to the Washington Post.

The aircraft has fold-out wings, weigh roughly 1,300 pounds, and have fixed landing gear.

The hybrid-electric motor has an internal combustion engine and a lithium phosphate chemistry battery, which Terrafugia says is 'much safer than other lithium' batteries

They seat a maximum of two people, including the pilot.

To operate them, one must have a sport pilot certificate, which requires just 20 hours of training.

The craft reaches a cruise speed of 100 mph, and can achieve a range of 400 miles.

And, it can fly to a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet. It also meets National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration standards.

Transition can fly at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour while in airplane mode and it can fly as high as 10,000 feet.

Consumers will also need a pilot's license in order operate the Transition.

Terrafugia envisions Transition as being a useful vehicle for pilots to land at small airports and drive home, or for landing on highways, transitioning into drive mode and taking the highway, Digital Trends noted.

That differs from flying car prototypes developed by Uber, Kitty Hawk, BMW and others, which involve the vehicles taking up commercial air space and will push the limits of current aviation regulations.

What likely sped up development of Terrafugia's Transition was the firm's acquisition by Volvo parent company Geely in 2017.

Terrafugia has developed several models, including the TF-X flying car (pictured), which features fold-out wings with twin electric motors attached to each end

The planned four-person TF-X will be semi-autonmous and use computer-controlled so that passengers can simply type in a destination before taking off

At the time, Li Shufu, founder and chairman of Geely, said:

'The team at Terrafugia have been at the forefront of believing in and realizing the vision for a flying car and creating the ultimate mobility solution.

'This is a tremendously exciting sector and we believe that Terrafugia is ideally positioned to change mobility as we currently understand it and herald the development of a new industry in doing so.

'Our investment in the company reflects our shared belief in their vision and we are committed to extending our full support to Terrafugia, leveraging the synergies provided by our international operations and track record of innovation, to make the flying car a reality.'

TF-X vehicles will be capable of automatically avoiding other air traffic, bad weather, and restricted and tower-controlled airspace. It has fold-out wings with twin electric motors

Terrafugia has developed several models, including the TF-X flying car, which features fold-out wings with twin electric motors attached to each end.

The planned four-person TF-X will be semi-autonmous and use computer-controlled so that passengers can simply type in a destination before taking off.

TF-X vehicles will be capable of automatically avoiding other air traffic, bad weather, and restricted and tower-controlled airspace.

THE TF-X: KEY SPECIFICATIONS

The vehicle will have a cruising speed of 200 mph (322 km/h), along with a 500-mile (805 km) flight range.

TF-X will have fold-out wings with twin electric motors attached to each end.

These motors allow the TF-X to move from a vertical to a horizontal position, and will be powered by a 300 hp engine.

The planned four-person TF-X will be semi-autonmous and use computer-controlled so that passengers can simply type in a destination before taking off.