<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sikorsky\u2019s VTOL UAS concept for DARPA ANCILLARY features a rotor blown wing configuration. Ongoing flight tests of a UAS testbed are focusing on autonomy flight controls and articulating proprotors to ensure efficiency of both vertical and horizontal flight. Graphic courtesy of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company.<\/p>\n
STRATFORD:<\/p>\n
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), is conducting flight tests to mature the control laws and aerodynamics of a novel vertical takeoff and landing uncrewed aerial system (VTOL \/ UAS). The flight tests are intended to prove the efficiency and scalability of a twin proprotor \u2018rotor blown wing\u2019 configuration that sits on its tail to take-off and land like a helicopter, and transitions easily to horizontal forward flight for long-endurance missions, such as intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.<\/p>\n
The ongoing flight tests support the ANCILLARY initiative by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which seeks to develop a Class 3 UAS VTOL X-Plane that can operate in most weather conditions from ship decks and unprepared surfaces without infrastructure. Sikorsky is one of several competitors down-selected to advance their UAS conceptual designs into the next development phase.<\/p>\n
The term \u2018rotor blown wing\u2019 refers to the constant airflow from the proprotor wash across the wing. Sikorsky chose the design to reduce drag on the wing in hover mode and when transitioning to forward flight, and to increase cruise efficiencies and endurance.<\/p>\n
The design is just one of the many ways Sikorsky is advancing 21st Century Security\u00ae technologies and innovations, said Igor Cherepinsky, director of rapid prototyping group Sikorsky Innovations.<\/p>\n
\u201cFlight tests are underway to verify our tail-sitting rotor blown wing UAS can launch and land vertically with high stability, and cruise efficiently on wing,\u201d said Cherepinsky. \u201cKey enablers to flight maneuverability, and future vehicle scalability, are our MATRIX autonomy flight control system, and an articulated rotor system similar to those in traditional helicopters.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the flight tests now underway, Sikorsky is flying a proof-of-concept vehicle powered by a battery. If selected to produce an air vehicle for a future ANCILLARY phase, Sikorsky plans to build a 300-pound hybrid-electric version to include a 60-pound ISR payload.<\/p>\n
Sikorsky Innovations was formed in 2010 to overcome technological challenges to rotary wing speed, autonomy, and intelligence. Learn more about the engineering team\u2019s achievements in speed and intelligence, and its current focus on electrification and VTOL UAS to support 21st Century Security\u00ae\u00a0missions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sikorsky\u2019s VTOL UAS concept for DARPA ANCILLARY features a rotor blown wing configuration. Ongoing flight tests of a UAS testbed are focusing on autonomy flight controls and articulating proprotors to ensure efficiency of both vertical and horizontal flight. Graphic courtesy of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company. STRATFORD: Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":92875,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[439],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-92878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-news"],"yoast_head":"\n