Facebook are bringing out the big guns with their new drone, designed to provide internet to remote rural areas. Now, in my limited drone experience, they’re usually relatively small. This one, however, has the same wingspan as a Boeing 737. So pretty sizeable then. This from The Guardian:

Code-named “Aquila”, the solar-powered drone will be able to fly without landing for three months at a time, using a laser to beam data to a base station on the ground.

Yael Maguire, the company’s engineering director of connectivity, said that the plane will operate between 60,000ft (18km) and 90,000ft (27km) – above the altitude of commercial airplanes – so it would not be affected by weather.

It will climb to its maximum height during the day, before gliding slowly down to its lowest ebb at night, to conserve power when its solar panels are not receiving charge.

Here’s a photo of this drone bad boy.

The drone, which was built in 14 months, was able to fly in the air for 90 days at a time, Maguire said. Lacking wheels, or even the ability to climb from ground level to its cruising altitude without aid, it will be launched with the help of helium balloons, which will rise it to its preferred height.

Blimey.

For more one this article, click HERE.

[source: The Guardian]