Swift Ultra Long Endurance (SULE) High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) Capability Demonstration

The Swift Ultra Long Endurance (SULE), along with our experience in flight planning within FAA regulations, onboard computing, telemetry, payload selection/ integration, and successful SULE flight testing will be used to complete all Phase II deliverables for an effective demonstration of SULE making significant progress towards commercialization. As a HALE aircraft, the SULE allows for near continuous surveillance, communications, and sensor coverage, operating as a pseudo-satellite while staying clear of the national airspace and remaining fuel independent thanks to solar power. Swift’s previous and continued success with the SULE program has demonstrated our ability to not only plan and create detailed concepts of operations but also to execute our missions safely while cooperating with FAA regulations. The Swift SULE team is committed, experienced, and motivated for this next chapter in the program, particularly following the successful 56,000-foot, 24-hour flight in September 2024. This experience, combined with Swift’s ongoing collaboration with NASA on HAPS programs, positions us as the ideal and low-risk partner for this SBIR. The funding will be utilized for Phase II objectives, which include demonstrating a multi-day flight, and will support continued upgrades and R&D to advance towards a commercialized solution, pushing the boundaries of technology to maintain our competitive edge in the HALE industry. Target markets for this technology are commercial communication, commercial scientific, and government agencies such as NASA, DOD, USFS.