24 The stratosphere is the second-highest layer of the atmosphere, and over the past few decades it has hosted advanced UAVs for applications such as mapping, surveillance and comms relays that lend themselves particularly well to this environment. Uncrewed aircraft flying in or above the stratosphere are increasingly referred to as HAPS – high altitude platform stations, or high altitude pseudo satellites. The term encompasses many types of vehicle configurations, and symbolises to many the last frontier of aircraft engineering. Rory Jackson traces the development of this solar-powered UAV designed to provide a range of services from the stratosphere Lofty December/January 2024 | Uncrewed Systems Technology
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