Freefly's 'Flying Sun' Drone Brings 300,000 Lumens For Search-and-Rescue Operations, But How Much?

Imagine this "flying sun drone," not literally, but serving its purpose like the real sun. For Freely, the drone company behind this creation, it's more than that.

Officially known as the "Flying Sun 1000," this drone system is one of a kind thanks to its 288 high-bright LEDs that can output up to 300,000 lumens. In Layman's terms, its LEDs can light up a dark alley, as if it's daytime.

Since it can make an airborne floodlight, it's expected to transform lighting for many industries. The best part? It could help in search-and-rescue operations.

Intense Lighting for Life-Critical Situations

Freefly’s 'Flying Sun' Drone Brings 300,000 Lumens For Search-and-Rescue Operations

One of the most notable characteristics of the Flying Sun 1000 is that it can provide overhead diffused lighting. While conventional floodlights can lead to blinding glare and sharp shadows, the Flying Sun provides a smooth and consistent illumination, New Atlas writes in its report.

This makes it highly suitable for places such as search-and-rescue missions, where lighting has to be intense but easy to navigate in disorderly situations. It can also be very useful for roadside breakdowns, construction zones, and infrastructure inspections that need a dependable, portable light source.

Flexible Power Solutions for Long-Term Use

Freefly’s 'Flying Sun' Drone Brings 300,000 Lumens For Search-and-Rescue Operations,

Freefly has engineered the Flying Sun to be both efficient and convenient. The drone system will operate using battery power for as long as 50 minutes, offering more than sufficient time for most tasks.

To accommodate the needs of prolonged tasks, though, the system can be powered by a constant power source using a tether. This allows the Flying Sun to provide continuous service through long hours, providing a marked advantage over traditional, stationary floodlighting systems.

Cooling System and Longevity

Perhaps the most striking feature of the Flying Sun 1000 is its cooling system. According to Digital Trends, the rotor wash of the drone cools the LED lights to make sure that the system runs without issues for thousands of hours before needing to be serviced. This is what makes the system both long-lasting and reliable, particularly in high-intensity missions where there is a need for constant lighting.

Freefly's considerate design makes rapid deployment possible, with the Flying Sun being easily capable of lift-off in a few minutes, even under the most adverse conditions.

How Much is the Flying Sun Drone?

While the Flying Sun provides many advantages, it does carry a premium price. At $60,000, it's obviously an enterprise-level solution over standard lighting gear. But its mobility, convenience, and capacity to offer strong, high-quality light in dynamic environments can make it a good investment for companies where such capability is essential.

Freefly is producing 10 Flying Sun 1000 systems on a monthly basis, with production shipping in June. Because of its niche designation, the Flying Sun is being marketed as a premium solution to industries that require high mobility and high-performance lighting.

You can learn more by visiting the website here.