Dr. Robert H. Miller, Founder and CEO of Skydweller Aero, met with French President Emmanuel Macron and his Ministers on 13th May to discuss the potential applications for the company’s autonomous solar-powered aircraft for civil, commercial, and defence purposes in collaboration with French industries.
Skydweller announced the completion of its first autonomous/unmanned flight of a large solar-powered aircraft, charting a flight from Stennis International Airport in the United States. At the time of the announcement, in April this year, Dr. Miller called it a “world-changing first”.
“We are applying cutting-edge, 21st century materials science, artificial intelligence, and software development to an industry that has spent more than 100 years building piloted, combustion-based aircraft,” said Dr Miller at the time of the announcement. “This allows Skydweller to leap ahead of heritage aircraft manufacturers in terms of aircraft performance, flight duration, and cost effectiveness.”
The meeting took place at the Château de Versailles during the 2024 Choose France summit, France’s annual premier business and strategy conference. President Macron extended a personal invitation to Dr. Miller to participate in the event.
“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to speak with President Macron and his Ministers. I look forward to pursuing follow-on discussions with French government and industry officials about strategic cooperation between Skydweller Aero and France’s public sector and high-tech industries,” Dr. Miller said. “From monitoring illegal activities offshore, to mitigating natural disasters within the homeland, the innovative capabilities of our aircraft can help protect France, the French people, and its global interests.”
Established in 2018, Choose France aims to enhance the nation’s economic appeal and foster international investment and collaboration by convening leaders from major multinational corporations worldwide. Since its inception, the summit has facilitated over 50 billion Euros in direct foreign investment.
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