UAVOS announced its successful test flight completion of the new modification of ApusDuo solar-powered high-altitude platform system (HAPS) with a wingspan of 14m. The design of the main elements of the aircraft has been modified which resulted in increased reliability and decreased overall structure weight. The new prototype is the next step in the HAPS ApusDuo project with a wingspan of 28 meters and carrying capacity of 8 kg. Aircraft are designed to serve as a stratospheric telecommunications platform for delivering next-generation global connectivity over practically any territory, including the northern regions during the summer.
This modification incorporates significant improvements to capabilities found in ApusDuo, such as:
- Wingspan 1.5 times larger
- Improved control algorithms to reduce power consumption in horizontal flight
- New highly efficient MPPT energy conversion controllers have less weight and allow to split the solar panels into small groups for more efficient use of solar energy in low and uneven lighting conditions
- ApusDuo L/D Ratio over 30
- Take-off from a grass runway surface with electric winch
- Take-off from a paved runway under its own power using landing gears
