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BAE Systems has confirmed the first successful test flight of the company’s PHASA-35 high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS).
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The flight marks a significant milestone in PHASA-35’s development, which began in 2018 and is designed by BAE Systems’ subsidiary Prismatic to operate above the weather and conventional air traffic. It has the potential to provide a persistent and stable platform for various uses including ultra-long endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as security.
Over a 24-hour period, PHASA-35 soared to more than 66,000 feet, reaching the stratosphere, before landing successfully.
The trial was completed last month in New Mexico, USA, and allowed engineers to assess the performance of the experimental solar-electric drone within the outer-reaches of the planet’s atmosphere.
PHASA-35, which has a 35-metre wingspan and carries a 15-kilogram payload, uses a range of world-leading technologies including advanced composites, energy management, solar electric cells, and photo-voltaic arrays to provide energy during the day which is stored in rechargeable cells to maintain flight overnight.
Cliff Robson, group managing director for BAE Systems’ air sector, said, “PHASA-35 is breaking new ground – opening up the stratosphere to new possibilities. The team, which brings together BAE Systems’ know-how from across the globe with innovative solar and power management technologies, demonstrated tremendous commitment and ambition as they tackled the challenges associated with novel technologies and approaches.”
The PHASA-35 program sits within FalconWorks, BAE Systems’ in-house research and development body, a new centre for advanced and agile research and development within BAE Systems’ air sector, designed to deliver a range of cutting-edge combat air capabilities to the UK and its allies.
Dave Corfield, chief executive officer of Prismatic, said, “This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved and shows the commitment of BAE Systems to invest in new technologies and markets. PHASA-35’s first stratospheric flight demonstrates that this vehicle is on track to become the go-to system for long endurance, high altitude, and communications applications in the future.”
The latest trials took place from Spaceport America in New Mexico, flying in the White Sands Missile Range, and are sponsored by the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center.
This test flight at White Sands Missile Range was coordinated and directly supported by personnel attached to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, Detachment White Sands.
