Solar Powered Spy Plane Breaks Record

Scientists from the UK have developed a stealth aircraft that runs off solar power and has remained in the air for up to three and a half days at a time.

It is known as the Zephyr and the secret to its longevity is solar panels along its 60 ft wingspan. The developers are hopeful that such aircraft will be able to go on for months without landing.

The aircraft is a UAV or unmanned aerial vehicle. It flies automatically once airborne and can be controlled via satellite instructions and can attain speeds of 70 mph at 60 feet.

Spy planes till now have required regular stops for re-fueling and thus cannot give an uninterrupted picture of the battle landscape.

It is developed by the British defence company Qinetiq. The company also visualizes several civilian applications such as police surveillance and rescue operations.