Solar-powered military high-altitude drone Horus A tested
The Sunglider high-altitude drone, which was originally designed for civilian purposes, has now been tested in a modified version for military applications.
The Horus A high-altitude drone in the air.
(Image: AeroVironment)
The US aviation company AeroVironment has flight-tested an improved version of its high-altitude drone Sunglider, called Horus A, for military applications. The solar-powered drone can carry a payload of around 68 kg into the stratosphere.
The tested version of the Sunglider Horus A has a wingspan of 78 meters. The company did not say where or when the tests took place. They took place together with the US military and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Horus A is an extended version of the Sunglider high-altitude drone, which was originally intended for civilian use and was unveiled in 2019.
The upper side of the wings is equipped with solar modules throughout, which power the drone's electric motors. The system output has now been increased to 1.5 kW, according to the company. This should allow the drone to stay in the air for months without having to recharge the batteries on the ground. The cruising speed is around 110 km/h. During flight tests, the Horus A is said to have flown up to 62,500 feet (approx. 19,050 m) and covered an area of around 200 km in diameter. AeroVironment did not provide any information on the flight duration.
The design of the Horus A drone has also been modified, among other things to accommodate a higher payload. For example, a radar and radio system for military use were tested. On board are satellite-based radio and avionics systems that enable communication and network expansion, secure positioning, navigation and timing, surveillance and reconnaissance as well as deep reconnaissance. The drone is controlled via a satellite-based radio system.
Military use
The aim of the US military is to use the Horus A to expand communication networks and for reconnaissance and surveillance. The drone can operate at high altitudes for long periods of time. There are also plans to use the Horus A to coordinate swarms of military combat drones, such as the Switchblade 600.
It is unclear when the Horus A will be operational. The Horus A has received a special FAA airworthiness certificate and approval from the US Army to test it in US national airspace.
(olb)