Solar drone with jumbo jet wingspan broke a flight record—then it crashed
Summary
A solar powered drone operated by Skydweller Aero with a wingspan comparable to a Boeing 747 set a record for eight days and 14 minutes of flight before crashing into the sea due to energy depletion in severe weather. The mission included Navy testing for maritime patrols and AI-enabled drone technologies, highlighting the promise and risks of long endurance solar aircraft. The article places the loss in the context of Solar Impulse 2 history and notes future upgrades and defense funding bets.