Rotor blown wing drone undergoes flight tests for DARPA
NewsMay 23, 2024
STRATFORD, Connecticut. Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky is conducting a series of flight tests for a new vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system (UAS) on behalf of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the company announced in a statement.
The system, which features a twin proprotor "rotor blown wing" design, is being tested to refine its aerodynamics and control laws. The UAS is designed to operate from various platforms, including ship decks and unprepared surfaces, the company says.
The tests are part of DARPA's Ancillary initiative, which seeks to advance VTOL technologies that can adapt to various weather conditions and operational environments. Sikorsky's current experiments focus on the UAS's ability to transition from vertical to horizontal flight, supporting long-endurance missions that include intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISRT), the statement reads.
The "rotor blown wing" configuration utilizes airflow from the rotors over the wings to minimize drag during hover and transition phases, which is crucial for maintaining efficiency and endurance during flights, the company says.
