American company Petrel Technologies has confirmed that its AERO Sky hybrid drone has completed a six-hour flight test, demonstrating real-time reconnaissance capabilities over long distances.
The model, classified as a Group 3 unmanned system, was developed to meet defense and security demands with a focus on extended autonomy and reduced cost.
According to the company, the aircraft combines vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) with fixed-wing efficiency, which eliminates the need for conventional runways and increases the time spent in the air. During testing, the equipment would have traveled hundreds of miles while maintaining continuous surveillance, reinforcing its proposal to provide persistent aerial coverage.
Designed with hybrid-electric propulsion, AERO Sky supports modular payloads and autonomous operation, and can be configured for both intelligence missions and long-range strike actions. The company also claims that the system can be quickly assembled in the field, a feature aimed at operations in remote environments or with limited infrastructure.
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Described as a type of “aerial pickup truck”, the drone seeks to combine robustness, flexibility and scaled production. Petrel is betting on national manufacturing and a low-cost model to expand access to prolonged surveillance platforms, in a scenario in which armed forces and security agencies prioritize systems capable of operating for long periods without depending on traditional air bases.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: LinkedIn – Petrel Technologies | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
