Málaga-based engineering company Aertec has signed a contract with AALTO, the Airbus subsidiary responsible for the Zephyr HAPS programme, to design and manufacture the main avionics for what is considered the most advanced solar-powered aircraft in the world, which has spent more than 67 days in the air.
The Zephyr operates in the stratosphere, above conventional air traffic, and holds the world record for flight endurance among fixed-wing aircraft. As a payload-independent platform, it can support applications including direct connectivity with devices, high-resolution Earth observation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, disaster management and border protection.
The avionics systems will be designed and manufactured at Aertec's development centre in the Aerópolis aeronautical park in Seville.
Pedro Becerra, Aertec's managing director of aerospace and defence, said the contract represents a significant milestone for the company and strengthens its position as a trusted technology partner in advanced aerospace systems. "We are particularly proud to support AALTO and the Zephyr programme, a pioneering platform that is helping to shape the future of stratospheric operations," he said.
James Pritchard, head of procurement at AALTO, said: "We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with AERTEC, a trusted partner for this demanding technological challenge. We look forward to working together to support the ongoing development of Zephyr."
AALTO, established in 2022 as an Airbus subsidiary, is opening access to the stratosphere through Zephyr, which can act as a “tower in the sky” and provide direct connectivity to users' devices across an estimated area of up to 7,500 square kilometres.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Zephyr programme represents a new class of high-altitude pseudo-satellites, offering persistent coverage between traditional aircraft and satellites
- The contract places a Spanish engineering firm at the centre of a strategic European capability in stratospheric operations
- Applications in disaster management, border protection and connectivity have both commercial and government significance
Background
Aertec is a Málaga-based engineering and consultancy company specialising in aerospace and defence. AALTO was spun out of Airbus in 2022 to commercialise the Zephyr platform, a solar-powered, fixed-wing aircraft that operates in the stratosphere, above weather and conventional air traffic. The Zephyr holds the endurance record for fixed-wing aircraft, having flown for more than 67 days continuously.
Key Perspectives
Aertec (Pedro Becerra, managing director of aerospace and defence): says the contract is a significant milestone that strengthens the company's position as a trusted technology partner in advanced aerospace systems, and reflects trust in Aertec's engineering capabilities.
AALTO (James Pritchard, head of procurement): says the company is delighted to strengthen collaboration with Aertec as a trusted partner for a demanding technological challenge.
What to Watch
- Milestone deliveries of the avionics systems from Aertec's Seville centre
- Expansion of Zephyr's commercial and government customer base as the platform moves towards operational service
- Whether similar contracts for other HAPS platforms emerge as the stratospheric market develops
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedAertec is to design avionics for Zephyr, described as a record-breaking solar aircraft.Sur in English: “Aertec to design ‘brain’ of solar-powered Zephyr aircraft capable of flying for 67 days in the stratosphere”
- SupportedAALTO is an Airbus subsidiary.Sur in English: “AALTO, the Airbus subsidiary responsible for the Zephyr HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) programme”
- SupportedZephyr is capable of flights lasting 67 days.Sur in English: “Aertec to design ‘brain’ of solar-powered Zephyr aircraft capable of flying for 67 days in the stratosphere”
- SupportedA Málaga-based firm will provide Zephyr’s ‘brain’.Sur in English: “The Malaga-based company Aertec has signed a contract with AALTO [...] to ... undertake the design, development, manufacture, supply and support of the main avionics”
- SupportedAertec signed a contract with AALTO to design and manufacture Zephyr’s main avionics.Sur in English: “The Malaga-based company Aertec has signed a contract with AALTO [...] to ... undertake the design, development, manufacture, supply and support of the main avionics”
- SupportedAALTO is responsible for the Zephyr HAPS programme.Sur in English: “AALTO, the Airbus subsidiary responsible for the Zephyr HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) programme”
- SupportedZephyr is considered the most advanced solar-powered aircraft in the world.Sur in English: “for what is considered to be the most advanced solar-powered aircraft on the planet.”
- SupportedZephyr has spent more than 67 days in the air.Sur in English: “having spent more than 67 days in the air.”
- SupportedBecerra said the contract was a significant milestone for Aertec and strengthened its position as a trusted technology partner.Sur in English: “This contract represents a significant milestone for Aertec and further strengthens our position as a trusted technology partner in the development of advanced aerospace systems.”
- SupportedBecerra said: “We are particularly proud to support AALTO and the Zephyr programme, a pioneering platform that is helping to shape the future of stratospheric operations,”Sur in English: “We are particularly proud to support AALTO and the Zephyr programme, a pioneering platform that is helping to shape the future of stratospheric operations.”
- SupportedPritchard said: “We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with AERTEC, a trusted partner for this demanding technological challenge. We look forward to working together to support the ongoing development of Zephyr.”Sur in English: “We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with AERTEC, a trusted partner for this demanding technological challenge. We look forward to working together to support the ongoing development of Zephyr.”
- SupportedZephyr can provide direct connectivity to users’ devices across an estimated area of up to 7,500 square kilometres.Sur in English: “providing direct connectivity to users’ devices across an estimated area of up to 7,500 square kilometres.”
