Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of sustained flight are highly sought after for various applications. Extended flight durations allow for larger areas to be covered in a single mission, whether for surveillance, mapping, delivery, or infrastructure inspection. For example, a UAV with a flight time of several hours can inspect miles of power lines without needing to land and recharge. This capability is fundamentally different from short-duration models, which require frequent battery swaps, limiting their practicality for large-scale operations.
The development of long-endurance UAVs has been driven by advancements in battery technology, lightweight materials, and aerodynamic design. These advancements provide significant benefits, including increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, and access to remote or difficult-to-reach locations. Historically, limited flight times have been a major constraint in UAV deployment, hindering their potential in numerous fields. Overcoming this constraint opens up new possibilities for commercial and scientific applications.
