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Unmanned flight

COMPILED BY SUBAJAYANTHI. B

Photo: AP

Zephyr: Solar-powered aircraft.

Zephyr, an unmanned solar-powered aircraft that soared for 54 hours more than 50,000 feet above New Mexico, may hold the record for unmanned flight, defence research company Qinetiq, which built it, has said. 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 U.S. Air Force Global Hawk surveillance aircraft which flew for more than 30 ho urs. 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. However, they were informed about a second, 33-hour flight which could still become an official record.

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