Bay Area Startup Sets Sights On Developing 'Perpetually Flying Drone'

Kraus Hamdani Aerospace is advancing the vision of a perpetually flying unmanned aerial system with the K1000ULE, a solar-electric aircraft designed to stay airborne for days at a time. The company recently completed a 26-hour non-stop flight and continues to test AI-driven capabilities that allow the aircraft to detect rising thermals, reduce drag, and glide with minimal energy use.

Inspired by long-distance bird flight, the K1000ULE is engineered with proprietary lightweight materials, solar-charged batteries, and folding blades that maximize endurance. Co-founders Fatema Hamdani and Stefan Kraus emphasized its value for long-term surveillance, wildfire monitoring, and search and rescue operations, where manned aircraft face limitations. The fully electric system operates autonomously, offers onboard communication capabilities, and is built for persistent missions in austere environments.

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Story by CBS San Francisco