BAE Systems PHASA

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Contents

Type Description

• PHASA-8
• (PHASA = PersistentHigh Altitude Solar Aircraft) UAV demonstrator to validate and tune the aerodynamic behaviour and future flight performance of the PHASA-35. Phase-8 is a quarter scale version of PHASA-35, aerodynamically representative at low altitudes of PHASA-35 flying in the stratosphere. It can replicate the behaviour and performance of a HALE UAV flying at 65,000ft, but by flying at sea level. Weighing less than 25lb, the PHASA-8 UAV has a wing span of 28 ft. 8 in., is hand-launched and recovered from the ground.

• PHASA-35
• Solar-electric High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), designed as a cheaper alternative to satellites and able to carry out a range of tasks, including border protection, maritime and military surveillance, disaster relief and communications. It is powered by the sun during the day, before switching to battery power during the night and can potentially stay airborne for 12 months. Featuring long-life battery technology, ultra-lightweight solar cells, the aircraft is designed to operate in the stratosphere. Development of which was began by Prismatic in 2018, in collaboration with BAE Systems, who then acquired Prismatic as a subsidiary in September 2019.

Production Details

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Production Summary

Production References

1. https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/bae-systems-acquires-solar-drone-partner-prismatic
2. https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/solar-uav-to-be-developed-with-the-potential-to-stay-airborne-for-a-year
3. https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/phasa-35#
4. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/exclusive-bae-systems-phasa-35-makes-breakthrough-stratospheric-flight/
5. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/phasa-set-to-sun/

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