Skydweller Aero continues AMPA flight tests with operational military payloads

Skydweller Aero (Oklahoma City, Okla., U.S.) continues its autonomous maritime patrol aircraft (AMPA) flight tests of the company’s composites-intensive uncrewed solar aircraft (USA) with operational military payloads integrated onboard.

“Skydweller is equipped with a variety of sensor systems and is conducting flight tests out of Stennis International Airport in preparation for operations during 2025,” says Dr. Robert Miller, CEO and co-founder of Skydweller Aero. “The resilience and robust design of our aircraft allow us to operate a multi-INT sensor suite of payloads throughout the winter, and we expect to conduct multiday demonstrations in early 2025 over operationally relevant areas.”

These flights build upon Skydweller Aero’s successful autonomous flight trials conducted in late summer and fall 2024. Despite the challenging Gulf Coast weather — including two hurricanes — the company completed six flights between August 22 and September 22, four of which were fully autonomous. The longest missions lasted 16 and 22.5 hours respectively, demonstrating the aircraft’s operational effectiveness over land and offshore environments, as well as at altitudes of up to 33,000 feet.

“The aircraft maintained an impressive operational tempo, flying on average one mission every 5 days,” Miller adds. “This performance showcases the reliability and ease of maintenance of our platform.”

Operating amid peak Atlantic hurricane season, Skydweller’s flight operations, weather scientists and ground support teams worked together to fine-tune the aircraft’s autonomous capabilities, ensuring a rapid response to shifting weather conditions.

“Flying in close proximity to Mississippi thunderstorms allowed us to test and enhance our weather-avoidance systems,” says Miller. “This ability to navigate around dynamic weather patterns is vital for missions that require flight in challenging environments; avoiding sudden thunderstorms is similar to evading air defenses. And unlike many other uncrewed aircraft, we are not limited to clear-sky operations in controlled environments, like the Arizona or New Mexico deserts, but will operate in operationally relevant theaters.”

According to the company, Skydweller is distinguished by its durable design, optimal payload capacity and high power output for mission-critical systems. “Skydweller’s capabilities have been consistently validated through rigorous flight testing, achieving significant milestones without any safety incidents,” adds Barry Matsumori, president and COO of Skydweller Aero. “We are developing what we believe to be the world’s first operationally viable perpetual flight platform — designed to serve the needs of government and commercial markets.”