Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin firm (NYSE: LMT) has efficiently validated the superior management legal guidelines to efficiently fly a ‘rotor blown wing’ uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in each helicopter and airplane modes. Powered by batteries, the 115 kilos (52kg) twin prop-rotor prototype has demonstrated operational stability and maneuverability throughout all flight regimes, and the potential to scale the distinctive vertical take-off and touchdown (VTOL) design to bigger sizes requiring hybrid-electric propulsion.
“Combining helicopter and airplane flight traits onto a flying wing displays Sikorsky’s drive to innovate next-generation VTOL UAS plane that may fly quicker and farther than conventional helicopters,” stated Sikorsky Vice President and Basic Supervisor Wealthy Benton. “Our rotor blown wing platform is a major instance how we’re leveraging the breadth of our 102-year aviation heritage to develop new designs that meet the rising missions of business and army operators.”
Innovation Breakthrough
Sikorsky Improvements, the corporate’s speedy prototyping group, heads the trouble to develop and mature the rotor blown wing design. In simply over a 12 months, Sikorsky Improvements has progressed by means of preliminary design, simulation, tethered and untethered flight to assemble aerodynamic, flight management and high quality information.
Breakthrough was achieved in January 2025 with the ten.3-ft composite wingspan plane when Sikorsky Improvements efficiently accomplished greater than 40 take-offs and landings. Notably, the plane carried out 30 transitions between helicopter and airplane modes, probably the most advanced maneuver demanded of the design. In horizontal flight mode, the plane reached a prime cruise pace of 86 knots. Simultaneous wind tunnel exams had been performed on a 1:1 scale mannequin offering precious validation of the newly developed management legal guidelines by correlating them with real-world experimental information.
“Our rotor blown wing has demonstrated the management energy and distinctive dealing with qualities essential to transition repeatedly and predictably from a hover to high-speed wing-borne cruise flight, and again once more,” stated Sikorsky Improvements Director Igor Cherepinsky. “New management legal guidelines had been required for this transition maneuver to work seamlessly and effectively. The information signifies we will function from pitching ships decks and unprepared floor when scaled to a lot bigger sizes.”
Purposes of future UAS rotor blown wing plane embody search and rescue, firefighting monitoring, humanitarian response, and pipeline surveilling. Giant variants will allow lengthy vary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and piloted drone teaming (crewed/uncrewed teaming) missions.
All rotor blown wing variants will embody Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ flight autonomy system to navigate the plane throughout flight.
Household of Programs
The rotor blown wing design is one in all a future household of programs in growth by Sikorsky. The household will embody winged VTOL UAS and single primary rotor plane.
Additionally in growth by Sikorsky is a 1.2 megawatt hybrid-electric demonstrator (HEX) configured with a tilt wing and a fuselage to hold passengers or cargo throughout lengthy distances. A HEX energy system check mattress is predicted to display hover functionality in 2027.
For extra data, see https://lockheedmartin.com/sikorskyinnovations
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a worldwide protection know-how firm driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission options and twenty first Century Safety® imaginative and prescient speed up the supply of transformative applied sciences to make sure these we serve at all times keep forward of prepared. Extra data at Lockheedmartin.com.
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