Documents
United Kingdom Airbus Defence and Space
Zephyr
A solar-electric, high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) built by Airbus Defence and Space that flies in the stratosphere for weeks to months at a time, carrying a roughly 5 kg sensor/communications-relay payload above weather and conventional air traffic. The Zephyr 8/S variant set an endurance record of 64 days aloft in 2022; the UK Ministry of Defence is the primary operator.
In service since 2018 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-26
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
UK export-licensed
Subject to UK SPIRE licensing (ECJU); generally available to allied states.
Channel: Government-to-government or direct
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 2018. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon. | 23,200 m |
|---|---|
| Endurance Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage. | 1,536 h |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span. | 25 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 60 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 0 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Solar-electric with rechargeable battery |
|---|
Sensors & avionics
Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.
| Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights. | Airbus Opaz optical sensor (5 kg, 18 cm-resolution electro-optical imagery) |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public Airbus Defence and Space and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-26.
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How much does the Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr weigh? +
The Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr has a combat weight of 60 kg.
How many crew does the Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr require? +
The Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr requires a crew of 0.
What is the Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr used for? +
The Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr is a uav / drone typically used for isr.
How many countries operate the Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr? +
The Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr cost? +
Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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