Zephyr solar-powered drone smashes record with 2-month-long flight

The Airbus Zephyr S, a military reconnaissance aircraft, has more than doubled the record it set in 2018 for an uncrewed flight duration

By Matthew Sparkes

An uncrewed solar-powered aircraft has smashed its previous flight duration record by remaining aloft for two full calendar months – and it is still airborne.

The Zephyr S, built by Airbus in the UK, has photovoltaic solar panels on top of its wings that can power its electric motor and recharge onboard batteries so that it can fly throughout the day and night.

The aircraft, which is designed for long-term reconnaissance missions, has a wingspan of 25 metres and weighs less than …