Unveiling the Stealthy and Precise Aircraft Engaging in Espionage Missions.

The military has always relied on satellites for spying, but there is a new and unconventional player in the game. Meet Phasa-35, a slow-moving aircraft designed for surveillance purposes. Powered by small electric engines attached to elongated wings with solar panels, Phasa-35 captures energy during the day and uses it to keep the engines running at night. The solar power is stored in lithium battery packs, ensuring that the aircraft can continue to fly even if some batteries fail. With its fragile appearance and insect-like design, Phasa-35 may seem vulnerable, but it has proven to be resilient during tests in New Mexico, where it climbed to an altitude of 66,000ft at a leisurely speed of 55 mph. This new class of unmanned aircraft, known as High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS), has caught the attention of military experts on both sides of the Atlantic, who see them as potential substitutes for satellites. In the UK, the Ministry of Defence is exploring the use of HAPS in Project Aether, which includes high-altitude balloons and solar-powered planes. These pseudo-satellites can stay in one spot for months, monitoring communications and gathering intelligence on enemy movements. The appeal of HAPS lies in their affordability compared to launching satellites into space, but their success depends on their ability to withstand challenging weather conditions. Detailed weather forecasting, such as the laser sensing system used in Phasa-35 trials, plays a crucial role in ensuring these aircraft can maneuver through turbulence. While the possibilities for pseudo-satellites are exciting, BAE Systems, the company behind Phasa-35, remains focused on practical applications rather than record-breaking achievements. Military planners are particularly interested in pseudo-satellites as a backup to spy satellites, which are vulnerable to jamming or destruction in space. As a result, the technology is gaining momentum and attracting attention from companies like Leonardo, which has developed its own pseudo-satellite called Skydweller. With further advancements on the horizon, the era of pseudo-satellites may be just around the corner.