Solar powered aircraft achieves new stratospheric success

BAE Systems are delighted to unveil their PHASA-35 aircraft, a solar powered aircraft capable of flying for several months at a time, together with careers opportunities in the UK.

Latest flight trials take the British-built PHASA-35 High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) a step closer to operations in the stratosphere: read the full release.

A British-led team of engineers has taken a leap forward in the race to harness the stratosphere for earth observation and communications, completing a new series of test flights of BAE Systems’ High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS), PHASA-35®, in quick succession.

During the first flight at Spaceport America® in New Mexico, US, in recent weeks, the solar powered aircraft flew for 24 hours climbing to more than 66,000 feet and cruising in the stratosphere, before successfully landing in a serviceable condition, meaning it was ready to fly again just two days later.

This is a major milestone in the development of PHASA-35, named after its 35 metre wingspan, demonstrating its ability to be launched, flown, landed, potentially reconfigured and then relaunched again so quickly.

BAE Systems Falconworks are a sponsor of the UAS Challenge 2025 and we are delighted to share details of careers opportunities to join the team following the UAS Challenge; visit their website here: https://www.baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-the-uk