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The drone, which was built in 14 months, was able to fly in the air for 90 days at a time, Maguire said. Lacking wheels, or even the ability to climb from ground level to its cruising altitude without aid, it will be launched with the help of helium balloons, which will rise it to its preferred height. The balloons will be easily capable of lifting the plane: even when fully laden with communications gear, it will weigh just 880lbs (400kg), less than a fifth of the recognisable Reaper drone used by the US military, even though the Aquila drone has a wingspan of 46 yards (42m), compared to the Reaper’s 16 yard (15m) breadth. Because the planes must constantly move to stay aloft they would circle a two-mile (3km) radius, Parikh said.
(via Facebook launches Aquila solar-powered drone for internet access | Technology | The Guardian)
Date liked: 2015/07/31 23:07:47
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Liked from: One Visible Future
Originally posted from: theguardian.com
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