Solar plane flies into the night (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Jonathan Fildes
Science and technology reporter, BBC News

A lightweight solar-powered plane has smashed the official world record for the longest-duration unmanned flight.

UK defence firm Qinetiq, which built the Zephyr unmanned aerial vehicle, said it flew for 54 hours during tests.

The researchers believe it is the first time a solar-powered craft has flown under its own power through two nights.

The previous unmanned endurance record was set in 2001 by a jet-powered US Air Force Global Hawk surveillance aircraft which flew for more than 30 hours.

The Zephyr's 54-hour endurance flight will not enter the record books because representatives from the world air sports federation - the FAI - were not notified about the secretive test.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6916309.stm

[Joanne98]

1. K&R!

[Purveyor]

2. I've heard on a NPR report some months ago that Europe is way ahead in

the development of practical solar energy.

It there anything the USA is a leader in anymore other than making war, making war components(weapons) and selling worthless debt?

[Dead_Parrot]

3. You may have missed it...

...but this is the UK Military's R&D outfit making a better weapon.

So you're down to war and debt. :P

[FREEWILL56]

4. Fighting, excuses, and bullshit.

Can't include drinking just yet, but it's getting there.