Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Airbus Zephyr Production Gets Under Way
Solar-powered, high-altitude aircraft is being produced at Farnborough, with the first Zephyr S being airborne while this week's airshow is on.
Born of the High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) program, Airbus’s Zephyr is a refined design, with much of the R&D centered on the aircraft’s battery-management technology.
Born of the High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) program, Airbus’s Zephyr is a refined design, with much of the R&D centered on the aircraft’s battery-management technology.

Airbus Defence and Space has started production of the solar-powered, high-altitude Zephyr S unmanned aerial system (UAS) at a facility just outside the airfield perimeter at TAG Farnborough Airport. While the UK Ministry of Defence is the launch customer, for three of the long-endurance UASs, Airbus has also secured a first commercial customer.