Solar drone with jumbo jet wingspan broke a flight record—then it crashed

A groundbreaking solar-powered drone has been reported lost at sea following an astonishing eight-day flight that took place from late April to early May. This incident signifies the end of the innovative Solar Impulse 2, an aircraft renowned for achieving the world’s first solar-powered flights across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After its initial triumphs, it transitioned into an uncrewed testing platform for U.S. military operations. This remarkable aircraft, constructed from carbon fiber, boasted a wingspan of 236 feet (72 meters), comparable to that of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet, and was outfitted with over 17,000 solar cells. Its design allowed for extraordinary endurance powered solely by renewable energy and batteries. Skydweller Aero acquired and modified Solar Impulse 2 to serve as a testbed for what it calls “perpetual uncrewed flight,” capable of transporting payloads up to 800 pounds (363 kilograms). During its final mission, Skydweller Aero was conducting test flights aimed at maritime patrol scenarios in collaboration with the U.S. military. The drone had taken off early on April 26 from Stennis International Airport in Mississippi, heading to participate in the Navy’s annual Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) exercises near Key West, Florida. According to a blog post from Skydweller Aero, the FLEX 2026 event focuses on assessing AI and drone technologies for maritime patrols, particularly in combating transnational organized crime. Throughout its four days of continuous flight, the drone utilized radar along with visual and thermal imaging to monitor maritime targets. Additionally, it functioned as a flying communications hub for Navy aircraft and warships, while also aiding in the AIS transponder-based tracking of vessels in the operational area.