The ApusDuo project is the second generation of UAVOS’ HAPS solar airplane. (Photo: UAVOS)

UAVOS has joined the High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) Alliance to promote the use of high-altitude solar-powered autonomous aircraft for facilitating global research missions, communication, connectivity, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from the stratosphere.

UAVOS joined HAPS to collaborate with member companies towards accelerating the development and adoption of HAPS technology into the evolution of the high-altitude unmanned platforms market.

UAVOS’s HAPS knowledge is based on test flights for more than 1,000 hours of flight tests at altitudes of up to 6,600 feet (20,000 meters). The ApusDuo project is the second generation of UAVOS’ HAPS solar airplane.

HAPS platforms are autonomous, high-altitude, ultra-long endurance aircraft powered by solar energy. They are designed to boost internet connectivity worldwide, provide a long continuous monitoring of the Earth’s surface, create a network of autonomous repeaters and high-speed data signals. High-altitude unmanned platforms operate in the stratosphere, above ground infrastructure but below satellites, allowing for near ubiquitous coverage, which avoids ground clutter and significant latency issues.

The HAPS Alliance, originally an initiative from HAPSMobile and Loon, has members from the companies across the aerospace, technology and telecom industries.