Zephyr 3

Named after an ultra light aircraft built in 1922 at the QinetiQ’s Farnborough site the Zephyr 3 was designed specifically to provide images of the 2003 QinetiQ 1 balloon altitude record. Though the attempt ultimately failed the development of the Zephyr 3 nevertheless continued. In 2005 the Ministry of Defence began evaluation of the aircraft at the Woomera test range in southern Australia. Details of these tests have not been released but it is thought that the air vehicle will have been released either from a balloon, rocket or from a runway via a human assisted take off. It has been stated that these tests did include flights at altitudes greater than 9000m though whether it was flown at its maximum ceiling of 40000m is currently unknown.

The aircraft uses a carbon composite, straight wing with a single tail boom and V-tail. The UAV’s wing is covered by numerous solar panels supplying power to 5 DC motors allowing the aircraft to minimise its weight, just 12kg at take off, with the elimination of the need for a bulky power plant.

A number of roles have been identified for aircraft similar to Zephyr 3; these predominantly focus on tasks currently performed by satellites. Due to there high altitude and long endurance capability such UAVs are well suited to perform missions that require the aircraft to loiter for long periods of time at very high altitudes. Roles identified include the monitoring of natural disasters, human crises and the relaying of data. It is hoped that this will provide a cheaper and more flexible alternative to satellites.

QinetiQ have designed a range of payloads small and light enough to be used in by the Zephyr 3 aircraft.

Specifications

Manufacturer – Qinetiq
Target Market (Military/ Civilian etc) – Unknown
Type –
Role(s) – Unknown
Wingspan – 12 m
Length – Unknown
Height – Unknown
Weight (Empty) – Unknown
MTOW – 12 kg
Max Payload – Unknown
Power Plant – 5x 1kW DC motors powered by solar panels along aircrafts wing.
Max Speed – 25 kph at sea level
Cruise Speed – Unknown
Stall Speed – Unknown
Max Operating Radius – Unknown
Max Ferry Range – Unknown
Max Ceiling – 40000 m
Typical Operating Altitude – Unknown
Max Endurance – Unknown
Launch Method(s) – Unknown
Recovery Method(s) – Unknown

External Links

www.qinetiq.com