A new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype equipped with graphene-made wings has made its first public flight in the Farnborough Air Show 2016 held in the UK.

Known as Prospero, the new UAV has been developed in collaboration with the UK’s University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and The University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute (NGI).

University of Central Lancashire engineering innovation manager Billy Beggs said: “Graphene has huge potential for aerospace.

“It is incredibly strong, yet lightweight and flexible at the same time.

“Through our partnership with the National Graphene Institute at The University of Manchester, and alongside a number of Lancashire-based SMEs, we aim to develop a route map that enables graphene to play a key role in the future development of the aviation industry.”

Last year, the research collaboration examined the effects of graphene in drag reduction, thermal management, and the ability to achieve lightning strike protection for aerospace and other related sectors.

Earlier, Beggs also said: “Through the data collected from those initial flights our research has now moved on to the next level by developing processes of infusing graphene into composite structures.

“This newly skinned wing, produced by our industrial partners Haydale Composite Solutions, is enabling us to test the structural and weight saving benefits of graphene.

"In terms of impact resistance the new wing is showing increased levels of impact resistance of up to 60% over a conventionally-skinned carbon fibre wing."

“The research team is still in the early stages of flight testing with the new remotely piloted aircraft but initial test data is already very encouraging.

"In terms of impact resistance the new wing is showing increased levels of impact resistance of up to 60% over a conventionally-skinned carbon fibre wing.”

Opened in March last year, NGI along with its 50 industrial partners are currently working on collaborative projects to develop graphene applications of the future.

Image: Prospero, the new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype. Photo: courtesy of University of Lancashire.