Airbus is gearing up to establish a drone hub in Kenya, aiming to launch solar-powered drones from the base pending regulatory approvals.
The subsidiary AALTO has developed the Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (Zephyr HAPS), a lightweight solar-powered drone set to take flight from the planned operational base in Laikipia.
Samer Halawi, the CEO of the unit, revealed that Kenya would be the pioneer location for launching the Zephyr drone, with future bases worldwide to follow suit.
The drones are designed to provide enhanced connectivity, mobile services, and earth observation from an unexplored altitude or orbit.
Scheduled for a 2024 launch, AALTO has engaged with local telecom giants Safaricom Plc and Telkom Kenya to bolster 5G connectivity.
Plans are underway to establish an assembly line, maintenance facility, and network operating center in Kenya.
The choice of Kenya as a launch site factors in its open, flat spaces suitable for drone landings and takeoffs.
The country’s favorable weather conditions, applicable for up to ten months annually, further influenced the decision, according to Business Daily.
AALTO’s Zephyr boasts an impressive flight endurance of 200 days, serving as a potential replacement for mobile phone towers in remote or disaster-stricken areas.
This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide hindering global mobile connectivity.
Having taken its maiden flight in 2018, the Zephyr has demonstrated a flight endurance of 64 days using secondary batteries charged during the day for nighttime flights.
The drone’s coverage area spans 7,500 square kilometers, equivalent to 250 ground-based towers.
In regions with lower population densities or challenging terrains, the Zephyr will function as a terrestrial tower in the sky, seamlessly integrating into mobile operators’ networks.
The drone’s technological capabilities extend to Earth Observation, supporting efforts to combat forest fires, monitor border security, and offer real-time updates on transportation networks.
Airbus envisions a transformative role for the Zephyr in addressing diverse connectivity challenges through cutting-edge technology.
