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The VTOL kit can be integrated onto a standard Aerosonde air vehicle and does not impact flight performance. Source: Textron Systems
Textron Systems has trialled an applique vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system on an Aerosonde 4.7 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Testing of the Hybrid Quadrotor technology was completed in January 2016 at the Florence Military Range in Arizona, Textron Systems', David Phillips told IHS Jane's. "This flight testing established the VTOL lift and manoeuvre capability. The successful demonstration of transition to forward flight was completed in March at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona." Phillips noted that the conditions and mission profile of the test flights were typical of an Aerosonde mission.
Latitude Engineering developed the Hybrid Quadcopter system, the operation of which was enabled by Cloud Cap Technology, Phillips explained, adding that the integration on the air vehicle was conducted by the Textron Systems Small and Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems development team.
Development of the VTOL capability was undertaken through internal funding and commenced in early 2015.
Phillips explained that the VTOL process is undertaken automatically, and that the unit has its own battery and so does not draw power from the air vehicle.
The addition of the VTOL system does not affect flight performance and endurance or payload capacity, said Phillips.
"The [quadcopter] system also reduces the overall logistical footprint for deploying the [Aerosonde] to enable more rapid and flexible sUAS [small unmanned aircraft systems] operations," Phillips noted. "The technology also enables the ability to launch and recover to/from locations where no pre-existing ground launch and recovery equipment exists."
The Aerosonde has gathered significant operational experience, providing a tactical-level capability for users in a number of theatres, including with the US Marine Corps in Afghanistan, and as one of the two systems - along with Insitu's ScanEagle - that make up the US Special Operations Command's Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System II.
Textron Systems is set to continue with the development of the technology and conduct further testing.
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(333 of 403 words)
http://www.janes.com/article/59916/xponential-2016-textron-systems-trials-vtol-kit-on-aerosonde
The VTOL kit can be integrated onto a standard Aerosonde air vehicle and does not impact flight performance. Source: Textron Systems
Textron Systems has trialled an applique vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system on an Aerosonde 4.7 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Testing of the Hybrid Quadrotor technology was completed in January 2016 at the Florence Military Range in Arizona, Textron Systems', David Phillips told IHS Jane's. "This flight testing established the VTOL lift and manoeuvre capability. The successful demonstration of transition to forward flight was completed in March at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona." Phillips noted that the conditions and mission profile of the test flights were typical of an Aerosonde mission.
Latitude Engineering developed the Hybrid Quadcopter system, the operation of which was enabled by Cloud Cap Technology, Phillips explained, adding that the integration on the air vehicle was conducted by the Textron Systems Small and Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems development team.
Development of the VTOL capability was undertaken through internal funding and commenced in early 2015.
Phillips explained that the VTOL process is undertaken automatically, and that the unit has its own battery and so does not draw power from the air vehicle.
The addition of the VTOL system does not affect flight performance and endurance or payload capacity, said Phillips.
"The [quadcopter] system also reduces the overall logistical footprint for deploying the [Aerosonde] to enable more rapid and flexible sUAS [small unmanned aircraft systems] operations," Phillips noted. "The technology also enables the ability to launch and recover to/from locations where no pre-existing ground launch and recovery equipment exists."
The Aerosonde has gathered significant operational experience, providing a tactical-level capability for users in a number of theatres, including with the US Marine Corps in Afghanistan, and as one of the two systems - along with Insitu's ScanEagle - that make up the US Special Operations Command's Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System II.
Textron Systems is set to continue with the development of the technology and conduct further testing.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact
To read the full article, Client Login
(333 of 403 words)
http://www.janes.com/article/59916/xponential-2016-textron-systems-trials-vtol-kit-on-aerosonde
