A jumbo jet–sized solar drone sets a new record for autonomous maritime patrol flight before ditching and sinking

Skydweller Aero’s jumbo-jet-sized solar drone set an 8-day autonomous maritime patrol record with the U.S. Navy’s NAWCAD.

The flight showed the promise of long-endurance solar drones for surveillance and search-and-rescue missions.

On the return leg, stronger-than-forecast weather forced a controlled water landing in the Gulf of Mexico.

The composite airframe was not buoyant, so the aircraft sank after the landing.