# AFRICOM interested in Skydweller solar-powered long-range aircraft

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2022/07/africom-interested-in-skydweller-solar-powered-long-range-aircraft/
- Published: 2022-07-11T14:10:52+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

The United States’ Military African Command (AFRICOM) is looking at supporting innovative
solar-powered long-range, high-endurance Skydweller aircraft for intelligence mission
to counter terror activities in the continent.

10-year, old solar-powered Solar Impulse 2, was acquired by Skydweller Aero and 
has been further developed and tested with U.S. government support in Spain “and
capable of multi-month, continuous flight and has potential beyond gathering intelligence
that supports U.S. and partner-led efforts to counter destabilizing, violent extremist
activity in Africa.” says AFRICOM in Spain on 14 June.

Solar Impulse 2 was the brainchild of Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard and Swiss 
engineer Bertrand Borschberg, built to showcase the potential of renewable energy.

Skydweller Aero, a US-Spanish startup bought the design in 2019, with the intention
of turning the plane into the world’s first commercially viable “pseudo-satellite,”
capable of doing the work of an orbiting satellite, but with more flexibility and
less environmental impact.

“A pseudo-satellite is an aircraft that stays aloft, let’s say, indefinitely,” says
Skydweller’s CEO, Robert Miller. “That means 30, 60, 90 days — maybe a year. And
as such, it can do basically anything you would imagine a satellite can do.” That
includes providing telecommunications and Earth imaging, as well as disaster response
and monitoring natural resources.

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Skydweller is modelled after the Solar Impulse 2 that flew around the world in 2015
and 2016 using solar power, but will be pilotless. Removing the pilot will give 
estra payload capability. Skydweller will be able to fly at 180 km/h, at an altitude
14 000 metres, with up to 350 kg of surveillance equipment like radar and cameras.

“With long duration dwell, there is the potential for persistent monitoring of natural
disasters to help provide better disaster response,” said Brig. Gen. Rose Keravuori,
U.S. Africa Command’s deputy director for intelligence.

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“Our African partners would welcome persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance) that can track piracy, receive indications of illicit trafficking,
illegal oil bunkering, illegal poaching, or predator fishing.”

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“Africom, along with the US Department of Defence’s Research and Engineering Branch
and… Southcom (US Southern Command) are pleased to assist in the development of 
a carbon-neutral, long-dwell surveillance platform that can assist in generating
greater security and development in partner countries,” Keravuori said. “We are 
interested in, and look forward to, exploring opportunities to coordinate with the
military delegations present here today from France, Luxembourg and Spain.

“The bottom line is that a long duration and persistent ISR platform has the potential
to provide a wide-range of capabilities to us…and our African partners at a lower
cost while embracing a low carbon solution.”

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