BAE Systems Prismatic

BAE Systems Prismatic, founded in 2015 and based in Farnborough, United Kingdom, is a company focused on high-altitude platform (HAPS) technology within the stratospheric domain. The company’s core business centers around the development of the PHASA-35 (Persistent High Altitude Solar Aircraft), a solar-electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for long-endurance missions in the stratosphere.

The PHASA-35 leverages lightweight construction and high-efficiency solar cells to achieve persistent flight powered entirely by renewable energy. This capability distinguishes it from traditional UAVs and satellites, offering a potentially cost-effective and flexible platform for a variety of applications. While specific technological details are limited in publicly available information, the design clearly emphasizes sustained flight at high altitudes – above the weather and commercial air traffic – utilizing solar power as its primary energy source.

To date, BAE Systems Prismatic has demonstrated the PHASA-35 through successful test flights, including a demonstration of sustained powered flight. These flights have validated the core technology and demonstrated the potential for long-duration missions. While specific customer details are not publicly available, the platform is positioned to serve applications requiring persistent surveillance, communications relay, and environmental monitoring.

BAE Systems Prismatic occupies a unique position within the growing HAPS market. By focusing on a fully solar-electric design, the company aims to provide a persistent, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional satellite and airborne platforms, offering a compelling value proposition for government and commercial clients seeking long-duration aerial capabilities.