Image: Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, Photo Sikorsky demonstrates “rotor blown wing” UAS concept The twin proprotor prototype has demonstrated operational stability, maneuverability across all flight regimes. Sikorsky has announced that it has successfully validated the advanced control laws to fly a battery-powered rotor blown wing uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) in both helicopter and airplane modes. The 115-lb., twin proprotor prototype has demonstrated operational stability and maneuverability across all flight regimes, and the company says it has the potential to scale the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) design to larger sizes requiring hybrid–electric propulsion. “Combining helicopter and airplane flight characteristics onto a flying wing reflects Sikorsky’s drive to innovate next-generation VTOL UAS aircraft that can fly faster and farther than traditional helicopters,” says Sikorsky VP and General Manager Rich Benton. In January, the 10.3-ft.-composite-wingspan aircraft completed more than 40 takeoffs and landings and 30 transitions between helicopter and airplane modes. In horizontal flight, the aircraft reached a top cruise speed of 86 knots. Sikorsky Innovations Director Igor Cherepinsky says data indicates “we can operate from pitching ships decks and unprepared ground when scaled to much larger sizes.” Other vehicle applications include search and rescue, firefighting monitoring, humanitarian response, and pipeline surveilling. Large variants will enable long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and piloted drone teaming (crewed and uncrewed) missions. All rotor blown wing variants will include Sikorsky’s Matrix flight autonomy system.
