Background: AeroVironment's Centurion solar powered flying wing UAV made its maiden flight at Edwards AFB, CA in Nov 98 (using batteries in lieu of its planned solar panels). An intermediate step between the record-setting Pathfinder UAV and AeroVironment's planned Helios design, Centurion is meant to demonstrate long duration (weeks), high altitude flight for the NASA ERAST program and for eventual commercial applications, such communication relay.
Characteristics:
| Length, ft | 12.3 | Wing Span, ft | 206 |
| Gross Weight, lbs | 1830 | Payload Weight, lbs | 600 |
| Fuel Capacity, lbs | 0 | Fuel Type | Solar/fuel cells (LiS batteries interim) |
| Engine Make | 14 x electric motors | Power, hp | 14 x 2 |
| Structure | Graphite/epoxy spars; plastic skin; styrofoam leading edge | ||
| Guidance | Navigation | ||
| Data Link(s) | Data Rate(s), kbps | ||
| Endurance, hrs | 96 (goal) | Radius, nm | |
| Max Speed, kts | 20 | Stall Speed, kts | |
| Altitude, ft | 100,000 (goal) | ||
| Takeoff Means | Conventional (runway reqd) | ||
| Navigation | Preprogrammed
(points)/ autonomous/direct control |
||
| Landing Means | Conventional (runway reqd) | ||
Sensor(s):