QinetiQ files for three world records

Subject to ratification with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), Zephyr achieved the absolute duration record for an UAV, the duration record for a UAV in the U/1.c /50-500kg category and the absolute altitude record for a UAV being filed at 70,740ft.

Zephyr was launched on 9th July and stayed aloft for 14 nights (336 hrs/22 minutes) above the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, before being brought safely back to earth on the morning of 23 July having achieving all the objectives of the trial.

“We now await official FAI confirmation that we have met all necessary criteria,” stated Zephyr programme director, Jon Saltmarsh. “This is a tremendous achievement, earning Zephyr a well deserved place in the record books and setting a significant milestone in aviation history.”

Chris Kelleher, QinetiQ's chief designer added: “We're delighted that Zephyr should soon enter the world record books as it is set to transform the delivery of current services such as communications, and lead to many new applications which are not possible or affordable by other means. We've now proved that this world-beating aircraft is capable of providing a cost effective, persistent surveillance and communications capability measured in terms of weeks, if not months.”

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