The U.S. Navy, in partnership with Skydweller Aero, successfully completed a 73-hour continuous solar-powered unmanned flight test from Stennis, Mississippi, marking a significant advancement in long-endurance unmanned aerial systems technology for maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.
Led by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), the three-day nonstop demonstration validated the Skydweller UAS’s ability to maintain continuous solar-powered operation while proving feasibility of achieving a positive energy balance during extended flights. The test also confirmed the system’s communication links, autonomous real-time decision-making capabilities, and ability to adapt to turbulent weather conditions.
During the 73-hour demonstration flight, the Skydweller UAS traced a flight path that spelled out “USA” over the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern United States, according to flight tracking data from airplanes.live. The flight pattern, executed while maintaining continuous solar-powered operation, demonstrated the aircraft’s precise autonomous navigation capabilities and ability to follow complex predetermined routes during extended missions.
The flight test represents a key milestone within a Joint Concept Technology Demonstration (JCTD) campaign initiated by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD R&E) and sustained through a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) with NAWCAD to evaluate Autonomous Maritime Patrol Aircraft (AMPA) capabilities.
“This demonstration is a prime example of how NAWCAD partners with industry to deliver what the fleet needs,” said NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. Todd Evans. “It also reflects the technical depth of our workforce and our ability to translate ideas into capability.”
The Skydweller UAS traces its origins to the Solar Impulse 2, the aircraft that made aviation history in 2016 by completing the first solar-powered flight around the world. The Solar Impulse 2 demonstrated that an aircraft powered solely by solar energy could achieve sustained flight, completing its circumnavigation over 17 flight segments with Swiss pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg alternating at the controls.
Skydweller Aero, founded in 2017, acquired the Solar Impulse 2 aircraft and related intellectual property assets in 2019, transforming the record-breaking manned aircraft into an unmanned military platform. The company converted the aircraft for autonomous operations, removing the pilot cockpit and integrating advanced flight control systems, communication equipment, and payload capabilities.
On April 4, 2024, the converted aircraft achieved another aviation milestone by completing what Skydweller Aero described as “the world’s first successful autonomous/unmanned/uncrewed flight of large-scale solar-powered aircraft in the United States,” taking off, flying, and landing entirely under autonomous control from Stennis International Airport.
“This is a true, world-changing first in the aerospace industry,” said Dr. Robert Miller, CEO of Skydweller Aero, following the April demonstration. The company noted that this achievement represented the application of “cutting-edge, 21st century materials science, artificial intelligence, and software development to an industry that has spent more than 100 years building piloted, combustion-based aircraft.”
The Skydweller UAS is designed to address operational challenges in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, including drug trafficking and border security missions. The platform’s continuous surveillance capability over extended periods enables more specialized systems to focus on missions requiring rapid response and advanced sensor packages.
“Integrating Skydweller into the Navy’s ISR architecture creates a layered and resilient network that maximizes the capabilities of all our assets,” said NAWCAD’s Special Purpose UAS lead Bill Macchione. “This collaborative approach ensures we have the right platform for the right mission, optimizing our resources and enhancing our overall maritime domain awareness.”
NAWCAD plans to conduct further testing with Skydweller in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility later this summer.
The Skydweller UAS features a wingspan greater than a Boeing 747 while weighing approximately the same as a Ford F-150 pickup truck. Constructed from carbon fiber, the aircraft can carry payloads up to 400 kilograms and operate at altitudes up to 45,000 feet for periods ranging from weeks to months.
The solar-powered platform produces zero carbon emissions and operates with significantly reduced costs compared to conventional aircraft. According to Skydweller Aero, the system is 10 to 100 times less expensive to operate than conventional aircraft for long-duration missions, eliminating requirements for crew rotations, frequent refueling, and extensive maintenance cycles.
Navy collaboration with Skydweller Aero began in 2020 to address SOUTHCOM operational challenges. The formal JCTD/CRADA framework was established to systematically evaluate AMPA capabilities as part of broader Defense Department technology demonstration programs.
Following the company’s 2019 acquisition of the Solar Impulse 2 platform, Skydweller Aero developed the aircraft into an autonomous military system. The April 2024 unmanned flight demonstration validated the conversion from the original manned record-setting aircraft to a fully autonomous platform capable of military operations.
During 2024, the company conducted multiple autonomous flight tests, including missions lasting 16 and 22.5 hours respectively. These flights were conducted during challenging Gulf Coast weather conditions, including two hurricanes, demonstrating operational effectiveness over land and offshore environments. The aircraft maintained an operational tempo of approximately one mission every five days during the test period.
In June 2025, Skydweller Aero announced a strategic partnership with Thales to integrate the AirMaster S radar system into the AMPA platform. The X-band AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar system, previously proven on ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft, features AI-based SMART RADAR capabilities designed for autonomous adaptation to flight and mission conditions.
The radar system’s auto-tuning capabilities are specifically suited to Skydweller’s persistent flight operations, while AI-powered target classification features can detect points of interest among large volumes of data and reduce information transmission requirements to ground stations. The integration enables immediate and accurate assessment of land, air, and sea situations during extended missions.
The AMPA program represents a paradigm shift from conventional maritime patrol operations, which are limited by fuel capacity, crew endurance, and maintenance requirements. A single Skydweller platform can provide persistent coverage that previously required multiple aircraft rotations, significantly reducing operational costs and crew exposure to hostile environments.
Primary mission applications include exclusive economic zone enforcement, continuous monitoring of contested waters, and detection of drug trafficking and piracy activities across vast ocean areas. The platform’s autonomous capabilities enable operations from U.S. bases to distant operational areas without requiring forward deployment of personnel or support equipment.
The technology also supports broader NATO and allied maritime domain awareness efforts, with potential applications extending to telecommunications relay, environmental monitoring, and emergency response operations.
“This flight test campaign is an important achievement and validates our business vision, marking a new era in autonomous aviation,” said Dr. Robert Miller, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Skydweller Aero. “The data gathered that validates our models for multi-day flights is a testament to our team’s dedication and innovation.”
Barry Matsumori, President and Chief Operating Officer of Skydweller Aero, noted the program leverages global research and development investments in solar energy, battery storage, and carbon fiber manufacturing. “As these subsystems improve, we will continue to leverage them for the benefit of our customers,” he said.
The 73-hour flight demonstration establishes a foundation for operational testing with advanced sensor payloads, representing the evolution from basic endurance validation to deployment-ready ISR capabilities within the AMPA program framework. The achievement also demonstrates the successful transition of pioneering solar aviation technology from experimental flight demonstration to operational military capability.
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