BAE to Acquire Prismatic, Co-Developer of 'PHASA-35' Solar Electric UAV

BAE Systems has agreed to purchase U.K.-based aerospace technology developer Prismatic for an undisclosed sum in the British defense contractor’s strategy to push the boundaries of air and space innovation.

The deal comes 15 months after both companies unveiled a partnership on the PHASA-35 unmanned air vehicle, a high-altitude long endurance aircraft designed to operate using battery and solar cells, BAE said Tuesday.

An Integration test on two PHASA-35 prototypes is underway at BAE’s facility in Warton, England, and flight trials are scheduled to occur in early 2020.

Nigel Whitehead, chief technology officer of BAE, said the investment in Prismatic is a step toward advancing the UAV technology into production.

He added the aircraft has the potential to reach operational status with customers within one year of flight tests.

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