Swift Engineering, a leading innovator in advanced solutions for unmanned aviation as well as a range of other critical applications, has announced that its SULE (Swift Ultra Long Endurance) aircraft achieved a major milestone in a flight that reached 55,904 ft. MSL (Mean Sea Level) on Sept. 29-30, 2024.
The groundbreaking, 24-hour flight opens up new possibilities for scientific research and environmental monitoring as well as defense and aerospace applications. SULE took off from and landed at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The successful flight more than doubled the previous altitude record for the aircraft which had achieved a level of 25,000 ft.
“As a HAPS solution, the solar-powered SULE is designed to stay airborne for multiple weeks at a time,” said Hamed Khalkhali, President of Swift Engineering. “Its wide range of applications includes communications relay, internet/comms in underserved or remote areas, ISR needs, forest fire monitoring, traffic management, disaster relief, agriculture, change detection and many others. In addition, it is significantly lower in cost to manufacture and operate compared to other available offerings.”
The Swift suite of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) spans the shorter range, rapidly deployable VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) Swift Crane to the longer endurance, longer range, gas-powered Swift Accipiter suitable for most military and law enforcement applications.
SULE delivers an even longer range/endurance platform with a 72-foot wingspan and 15-pound payload capacity that can provide seamless communications relay capabilities to all Swift platforms as well big-picture awareness beyond the range of Crane and Accipiter.
Swift Engineering is also participating in a two-year program with NASA focused on the development of unmanned aircraft that can achieve extended endurance with decreased cost and increased data capture capabilities. The program will include multiple on-the-ground tests of systems and subsystems as well as flights of 24 hours, 48 hours and seven days.
For complete information on Swift Engineering, visit www.swiftengineering.com or email Hamed Khalkhali, [email protected].
About Swift Engineering
Swift Engineering, a Hiro Matsushita Company, is a speed-driven, innovation company providing products, technologies and fully integrated solutions from ideation to market. The company offers world-class, end-to-end engineering, manufacturing and product development services under one roof. Products include unmanned tactical systems and services, maritime data collection and analysis, robotics, and 24/7 active persistent monitoring. Services encompass research and development, product development, build-to-print contract manufacturing, and custom precision manufacturing. www.swiftengineering.com
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