Solar-powered plane completes 14-day unmanned flight

A new Zephyr plane has broken aviation records and has future potential in the areas of surveillance and communications.

The UK-built solar-powered high-altitude long endurance unmanned air system (UAS) Zephyr landed earlier today after a two-week flight over the Arizona desert. The Zephyr set down at 15:04 Irish time, having been airborne for 14 days and 24 minutes.

Following its flight, the Zephyr has set some performance and altitude records, including achieving the longest ever duration for an unmanned flight.