French Ministry of Armed Forces confirms successful first flights of Heliblade stratospheric drone (opex360.com)

• Heliblade, a solar-powered stratospheric drone, completed first low-altitude test flights.
• French Ministry of Armed Forces, DGA, and CEAM supervised the tests.
• Designed for months-long endurance above 20 km for surveillance and communications.

"The French Ministry of Armed Forces announced the successful first test flights of the Heliblade stratospheric drone, developed by X721 with support from the Defence Innovation Agency (AID). The solar-powered drone, with an 18-meter wingspan and takeoff mass under 4 kg, completed low-altitude flights at 15 and 35 meters, demonstrating stability and maneuverability. The tests were monitored by the DGA and the CEAM of the French Air and Space Force. Heliblade is designed to eventually operate for months at over 20 km altitude for intelligence, surveillance, communications, and civilian missions."