Aerospace Firm To Unveil Solar-Powered Aircraft

A solar-powered aircraft that can be flown with or without a human on board is being unveiled at a New York site that once made fighter jets for the military.

Luminati Aerospace is bringing out its prototype Friday at the former Calverton defense plant on Long Island. A person will be inside the high-tech aircraft during the demonstration.

The Calverton facility was once used by defense contractor Northrop Grumman.

(Image credit: Luminati Aerospace)

Now Luminati plans to develop its unmanned aerial vehicle there.

Luminati closed in September on a $3.4 million deal to acquire 16 acres from the operator of a former skydiving facility.

The company says in a press release that the project has attracted scientists, engineers and aerodynamics experts "from all corners of the aviation industry."