This 24-foot inflatable drone can fly for 10 hours, covering 500 miles one way, and can probably fit in your car

Date:
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 23:20:00 +0000

Description:
French startup Celeste Ecoflyers is developing an inflatable drone capable of 10-hour flights, a 500-mile range, and compact transport inside cars.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Celeste Ecoflyers daS10, an inflatable drone, can reportedly fly for more than 10 hours Its 8-meter pneumatic wing replaces much of a conventional aircraft structure The drone can reportedly cover approximately 500 miles in one direction A French aerospace startup is developing a 24-foot inflatable drone designed to remain airborne for more than 10 hours while covering roughly 500 miles one way.

The company recently completed early flight testing for the drone dubbed daS10, which uses a pressurized textile envelope and pneumatic wings. When deflated, the drone can reportedly fit inside a normal car with its seats folded, giving operators an unusual transport option. Latest Videos From
Watch full video here: Inflatable wings could extend drone endurance Celeste Ecoflyers developed the daS10 around an 8-meter fixed-wing structure that
uses internal air pressure to maintain its shape during flight.

The inflated wing generates lift while avoiding some of the structural weight associated with conventional aircraft designs. You may like This new cargo drone uses an inflatable wing instead of a traditional rigid frame YouTuber smashes Guinness World Record for longest drone flight with a huge 261-minute time Price of record-breaking Ukraine AI FPV drone slashed to $500 as range increases sixfold to 68 miles

That approach is intended to reduce energy demands and allow the drone to remain airborne for much longer periods than many small multirotor systems.

The company is developing the aircraft for inspection, surveillance and
remote logistics missions that require persistent aerial coverage. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
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Small consumer drones such as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro can remain airborne for around 50 minutes before requiring a recharge.

That endurance may be insufficient for monitoring pipelines, remote infrastructure or large areas affected by disasters.

Longer-range unmanned aircraft can address those missions, although traditional fixed-wing platforms and vertical-takeoff aircraft can involve higher acquisition, transport and operating costs. What to read next This drone spins itself invisible here's the science behind it This 1-pound drone killer is the size of a Subway sandwich but it can outrun a Black Hawk We have a new (unofficial) drone speed world record 453 mph!

The daS10 instead relies on a lightweight structure that can be deflated when the aircraft is not flying.

Celeste Ecoflyers describes the aircraft as a new class of aerial system designed to make persistent coverage lighter, safer and easier to deploy.

However, the company has not disclosed every operational specification needed to independently assess those claims. Compact transport meets long-range aerial operations The drones inflatable structure could allow teams to transport a large aircraft without requiring a dedicated trailer or specialised ground equipment.

Once deployed, operators would inflate the structure before preparing the aircraft for its mission.

The design could therefore suit remote operations where storage space and transport access are limited.

Potential missions include inspecting long pipelines, surveying disaster
zones and monitoring areas where sending crewed aircraft would create unnecessary risks.

The drone also has a reported range of approximately 500 miles in one direction, allowing it to cover substantial distances before returning to its launch area.

The daS10 is still an emerging aircraft concept, and its real-world performance will depend on flight testing, payload capacity, weather tolerance, and the durability of its textile structure.

Its ability to combine long endurance with compact transport could make the design useful for operators needing extended coverage without conventional large aircraft infrastructure.

Via Celeste Ecoflyers | Yanko Design Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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