BAE Systems PHASA-35
Solar-electric HALE UAV designed as a cheaper satellite alternative.
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The BAE Systems PHASA-35 is a solar-powered, high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft built by BAE Systems and its subsidiary Prismatic. It aims to provide a lower-cost option than satellites for tasks such as surveillance, border security, communications, and disaster response, with the potential to remain in the air for up to a year. The aircraft was developed in under two years, with its first flight taking place in February 2020 at Australia’s Woomera Test Range, supported by UK and Australian defence science agencies.
Further testing followed, including a 72-hour endurance trial in October 2020 that simulated harsh stratospheric conditions. In January 2021, BAE Systems announced plans for a US flight demonstration due to strong interest from American defence and federal agencies. By December 2024, the PHASA-35 had completed a 24-hour flight reaching over 66,000 feet from Spaceport America in New Mexico, with operational use targeted for 2026.
The aircraft’s design originated from engineers who had worked on Qinetiq’s Zephyr drone. After Qinetiq sold Zephyr to Airbus in 2013, those engineers founded Prismatic and began developing a rival craft. Development of the PHASA-35 started in 2018 in partnership with BAE Systems, following a successful 2017 flight of a quarter-scale model called the PHASE-8. BAE Systems acquired Prismatic in September 2019.
The PHASA-35 is a solar-electric HALE UAV with a 35-metre wingspan and a weight of 150 kilograms. It uses solar cells for daytime power and switches to long-life batteries at night, enabling it to potentially stay airborne for 12 months. It can carry a payload of up to 15 kilograms.
Background
PHASA-35 was originally designed and developed by engineers who had previously worked on the Zephyr HAPS drone for Qinetiq. When Qinetiq sold Zephyr to Airbus Defence and Space in 2013, these engineers left and formed their own company, named Prismatic, to develop a rival aircraft.
Development of PHASA-35 consequently began in 2018, in collaboration with BAE Systems, and a first flight was scheduled for 2019. Prior to this, a quarter-scale model, named the PHASE-8, completed a successful first flight in 2017. In September 2019, BAE Systems acquired Prismatic as a subsidiary.
After less than two years in development, the PHASA-35 made its maiden flight on 17 February 2020 at the Woomera Test Range in Australia with support from the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Australian Defence Science and Technology Group. Further trials commenced and, in October 2020, the aircraft carried out an endurance trial whilst carrying a sensor payload.
The trials saw the aircraft operating 72 hours whilst in a simulated environment of harsh stratospheric conditions. In January 2021, BAE Systems announced plans to carry out a flight demonstration in the United States after acknowledging strong growing interest from across the U.S. Department of Defense and federal agency customer base. By December 2024, it had flown for 24 hours and reached more than 66,000 ft from Spaceport America in New Mexico, targeting operational activity by 2026.
The aircraft is a solar-electric HALE UAV powered by the sun during the day, before switching to battery power during the night. It features long-life battery technology, ultra-lightweight solar cells, a 35 m wingspan and a weight of 150 kg, designed to operate in the stratosphere. It has a payload capacity of 15 kg.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: BAE Systems PHASA-35 (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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