- Celeste Ecoflyer’s daS10, an inflatable drone, can reportedly fly for more than 10 hours
- Its 8-meter pneumatic wing replaces much of a conventional aircraft structure
- The drone can reportedly travel approximately 500 miles in one direction
A French aviation startup is developing a 24-foot inflatable drone designed to stay in the air for more than 10 hours while covering about 500 miles one way.
The company recently completed an early flight test for the drone, called the daS10, which uses a pressurized textile envelope and pneumatic wings.
When deflated, the drone can reportedly fit into a normal car with the seats folded, giving operators an unusual transportation option.
Inflatable wings can extend drone endurance
Celeste Ecoflyers developed the daS10 around an 8-meter fixed-wing structure that uses internal air pressure to maintain its shape in flight.
The inflated wing generates lift while avoiding some of the structural weight associated with conventional aircraft designs.
This approach is intended to reduce energy requirements and allow the drone to remain airborne for much longer periods than many small multi-rotor systems.
The company is developing the aircraft for inspection, surveillance and remote logistics missions that require sustained air coverage.
Small consumer drones like the DJI Mavic 4 Pro can stay airborne for about 50 minutes before requiring a recharge.
This endurance may be insufficient to monitor pipelines, remote infrastructure or large areas affected by disasters.
Longer-range manned aircraft can address these missions, although traditional fixed-wing platforms and vertical take-off aircraft may incur higher acquisition, transportation and operational costs.
The DaS10 instead relies on a lightweight structure that can be deflated when the aircraft is not flying.
Celeste Ecoflyers describes the aircraft as a new class of aerial system designed to make continuous coverage easier, safer and easier to install.
However, the company has not disclosed all operational specifications necessary to independently assess these claims.
Compact transport meets a wide range of air operations
The drone’s inflatable structure could allow teams to transport a large aircraft without requiring a dedicated trailer or specialized ground equipment.
Once deployed, operators will inflate the structure before preparing the aircraft for its mission.
The design could therefore be suitable for remote operations where storage space and transport access are limited.
Potential missions include inspecting long pipelines, surveying disaster zones and monitoring areas where deploying manned aircraft would create unnecessary risks.
The drone also has a reported range of approximately 500 miles in one direction, allowing it to travel significant distances before returning to its launch area.
The daS10 is still a nascent aircraft concept and its real-world performance will depend on flight testing, payload capacity, weather tolerance and the durability of its textile structure.
Its ability to combine long endurance with compact transport could make the design useful for operators who need extended coverage without conventional infrastructure for large aircraft.
Via Celeste Ecoflyers | Yanko design
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