STRATFORD, Conn. - Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: NYSE:LMT), is currently conducting flight tests on a novel vertical takeoff and landing uncrewed aerial system (VTOL UAS), as part of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiative. The tests are evaluating a unique 'rotor blown wing' design that allows the aircraft to hover and transition to forward flight efficiently, which could enhance future military reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
The VTOL UAS, which employs twin proprotors, is designed to take off and land vertically like a helicopter, transitioning to horizontal flight for extended missions. The 'rotor blown wing' concept involves utilizing the airflow from the proprotors to reduce drag and improve cruise efficiency. This technology could potentially allow the aircraft to operate in various weather conditions from ship decks and unprepared surfaces without the need for additional infrastructure.
Sikorsky's current tests focus on proving the stability and scalability of the control laws and aerodynamics of this tail-sitting aircraft. The company is one of several competitors selected by DARPA to move their conceptual designs into a more advanced phase of development.
Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations, stated that the ongoing tests aim to verify the UAS's capabilities in vertical launch and landing as well as efficient wing-based cruising. The vehicle's maneuverability and potential scalability are supported by Sikorsky's MATRIX autonomy flight control system and an articulated rotor system akin to traditional helicopters.
The proof-of-concept vehicle being tested is battery-powered, but if Sikorsky is chosen for a future phase of the ANCILLARY project, the company plans to construct a 300-pound hybrid-electric version equipped with a 60-pound intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) payload.
Sikorsky Innovations, established in 2010, focuses on overcoming challenges related to rotary wing speed, autonomy, and intelligence, with current efforts directed toward electrification and VTOL UAS technologies to support military missions.
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