A solar-powered aircraft developed by a Hampshire-based firm has broken the endurance record for an unmanned air system. The Zephyr, currently flying over Arizona in the US, has passed the seven-day mark and is expected to fly for another week.

It has more than doubled the unofficial record of more than 82 hours already held by Zephyr and has bettered the official record of more than 30 hours set in 2001.

The Zephyr is the creation of Hampshire-based defence and research company QinetiQ.

Launched by hand, the aircraft flies by day on solar power which is then used to recharge the lithium-sulphur batteries, which are used to power the aircraft by night.

The aircraft can provide a low-cost, persistent surveillance capability over months rather than days.

Zephyr's programme director Jon Saltmarsh said: "The team has worked tirelessly over the past few years, making truly significant leaps forward in overall design and construction - and to see it successfully soar into the sky was fantastic.

"By being able to remain over a location for weeks or months at a time, it can usefully deliver a host of practical and more affordable solutions to both civil and military customers."

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