Aerosonde Mk4 breaks UAV endurance record

Flying from the Aerosonde test facility in western Victoria, a Mk4 Aerosonde UAV in May set an unofficial world endurance record of 38 hrs and 48 minutes. The current official record is 30 hrs and 24 minutes held by the Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk.

The flight took place as a cold front passed through the region. Aerosonde's Special Projects Manager and team leader, Maurice Gonella reported: "Winds at times were higher than the ideal cruise speed of the aircraft and so, coupled with a wet airframe and turbulent conditions, maximum endurance was reduced from our target of 40 hours".

Aerosonde 157 (
The Mk4 Aerosonde includes the Cloud Cap Technology
Modifications to the UAV to enable the endurance attempt included tuning of the EFI engine, weight reduction and improvements to the aerodynamic efficiency of the UAV. These modifications were led by final year Monash University Aeronautical Engineering student Cameron Devries and many of these enhancements will be available immediately in the Mk4 product line. Aerosonde are aiming at further endurance attempts in the near future with the goal of attaining 48 hours flight.