DENVER, Colorado – November 7, 2017 – Bye Aerospace announced that SolAero solar cells were successfully installed and ground tested on both wings of the initial prototype for the advanced, medium-altitude, long-endurance solar-electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) called “StratoAirNet” being developed by the company.
The StratoAirNet is a light-weight, carbon composite construction, aerodynamically efficient aircraft. The solar-electric UAV has a payload of up to 70 lbs. that provides substantial customer capability with multiple sensors at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet. The initial StratoAirNet 15 prototype (with a 15-meter wing) prototype will be optionally-piloted to provide for rapid qualification of customer payloads without FAA airspace restrictions that typically slow UAV and payload development and deployment. With a test pilot in the prototype aircraft, solar, battery and propulsion system maturity, preliminary flight performance evaluation and autoflight control optimization are accomplished at a faster pace, with greatly reduced risk.
George Bye, CEO of Bye Aerospace, expressed his gratitude and thanks to SolAero for their active participation in developing the versatile StratoAirNet UAV, ultimately targeted to achieve “atmospheric satellite” capability. “SolAero is a business and engineering partner in every sense of the word,” he said. “With the completion of ground tests for the solar cells on the wings, we can advance to the next stage of assembly and testing.”
Bye Aerospace designs and builds advanced electric aircraft products for general aviation, aerospace and defense and “atmospheric satellite” markets. Momentum is building for the StratoAirNet aircraft, and the recent completion of solar cell testing provided data on how much solar energy is being produced. Bye Aerospace is also developing a family of electric aircraft, called “Sun Flyer 2” and “Sun Flyer 4,” with two and four seats, respectively. Sun Flyer is primarily targeted to the flight training market. A prototype for Sun Flyer 2 is in final ground test stage and preparing for first flight.
About Bye Aerospace:
Bye Aerospace is an innovator of sophisticated aerospace electric technology. The company, which was founded in 2007 by George Bye, is headquartered near Denver and brings advances in energy and design efficiencies to aerospace applications. For more information, go to www.ByeAerospace.com and www.GeorgeBye.com.
