UAS manufacturer Silent Falcon’s solar electric E1 UAV has completed 500 hours of flight testing. The fixed-wing, long-range E1 is noise and emission free, has a payload capacity of 20 pounds, and a ceiling of 20,000 feet agl. New Mexico-based Silent Falcon said the E1 can be operated from a 100-sq-ft clear area with either conventional or catapult launch and conventional or parachute recovery.
The aircraft can be configured for flight durations of between 4 and 20 hours, carry 12 different sensor types, and be operated beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) with live feed. The aircraft features an open interface payload bay with quick-change capabilities. Silent Falcon stressed that the aircraft has “no parts containing Chinese content” and is therefore suitable for government applications.
The company not only provides aircraft but also turnkey operation and data fusion and analysis services. It said its aircraft are suitable for security, military and commercial markets including oil and gas and pipeline inspections, power utility inspections, large scale agriculture, natural resource management, security/ISR, public safety, and mapping/surveying.