Drone with Boeing 747-sized wingspan flies 74 hours non-stop on only solar power

A drone with wings wider than a Boeing 747 has just spent three days cruising high above us, powered only by sunlight. US aerospace startup Skydweller Aero recently completed back-to-back flights lasting 73 and 74 hours with their massive solar aircraft.

"Over the course of four recent flights, the aircraft logged 222 total hours in the air, validating its endurance, resilience, and transformative potential," the company reported.

The drone's carbon fiber frame supports 17,000 solar cells generating up to 100 kW of power—enough to run its systems, drive four propellers, and charge 1,400 pounds of batteries for nighttime operations.

The US Navy is evaluating this technology for surveillance missions, particularly in detecting drug smugglers and monitoring naval activity without risking human lives.

Unlike conventional surveillance aircraft that require refueling after about 30 hours, Skydweller aims for "perpetual flight" lasting 30-90 days. The drone can carry impressive 881-pound payloads, making it practical for extended missions over vast areas where continuous monitoring would otherwise require multiple aircraft and higher costs.