PHASA-35 completes endurance trials with sensor payload
Solar-powered HALE UAV could enter service 12 months after flight trials are completed
Following its initial flight in February, the PHASA-35 HALE UAV has successfully completed critical endurance trials.
PHASA-35 was demonstrated as a fully integrated system together with a communications sensor payload from Dstl (this included an RF frequency sensing software-defined radio that provided a real-time and secure data link).
The trials, in a dedicated 40m hangar near Farnborough, involved BAE Systems, Prismatic and the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
BAE Systems announced on 11 October that the 35m-wingspan aircraft operated for 72h ‘in a simulated environment that models the harsh stratospheric conditions in which the aircraft is designed to operate’.
Further flight trials are due to take place ‘in the coming months’, the company added, noting that PHASA-35 ‘could enter initial operations with customers within 12 months of completion of its flight trials programme’.
Designed to operate unmanned in the stratosphere above the weather and conventional air traffic, the solar-electric PHASA-35 has the potential to stay airborne for up to a year at a time.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
