Sikorsky flight-tests tail sitter UAS for DARPA

Lockheed Martin company Sikorsky 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 rotor-blown wing on a UAS that sits on its tail to take off and land like a helicopter, then transitions to horizontal forward flight for long-endurance missions.

Constant airflow from proprotor wash across a rotor-blown wing reduces aerodynamic drag in hover mode, and when transitioning to forward flight, increases cruise efficiency and endurance.

The ongoing flight tests support the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), ANCILLARY initiative 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 selected to advance their UAS conceptual designs into the next development phase. If selected for a future ANCILLARY phase, Sikorsky plans to build a 300 lb hybrid-electric version to include a 60 lb payload. https://lockheedmartin.com

Axon, Skydio partner on scalable drone offering

Global public safety technology provider Axon and San Mateo, California-based drone manufacturer Skydio launched an end-to-end offering for drones in public safety, including a scalable drone as first responder (DFR).

The offering includes U.S.-made autonomous drones, onsite docking stations, and integrated flight control software from Skydio; real-time operations, real-time crime center (RTCC) capabilities and evidence management from Axon, as well as fleet and program management through Axon Air Powered by DroneSense; and airspace awareness and deconfliction from Dedrone’s technology for operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without the need for visual observers.

DFR allows agencies to deploy remotely piloted drones to emergency calls and provides real-time situational awareness to multiple stakeholders from a safe vantage point. DFR can improve incident response time, enable safer response strategies for officers and the community, and optimize resource allocation. Drones in public safety also support scenarios such as locating suspects and missing persons, de-risking vehicle stops, documenting incident scenes, and collecting evidence. https://www.axon.com/contact/drones; https://www.skydio.com

DARPA offers concepts for future VTOL UAS

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY program (ANCILLARY) offers six design concepts for a low-weight, large-payload, long-endurance vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system (UAS). The innovative configurations and critical technology designs come from small start-up and legacy aerospace companies, broadening the network of partners contributing to the program.

In Phase Ia, the ANCILLARY team explored conceptual designs from nine non-traditional and traditional military companies. In Phase Ib, six companies – AeroVironment, Griffon Aerospace, Karem Aircraft, Method Aeronautics, Northrop Grumman, and Sikorsky – will mature X-plane designs, concentrating on reducing system risks through refined higher fidelity design and analysis and by conducting component and configuration hover testing. At the end of this 10-month phase, teams will submit competitive proposals for Phase II detailed design, fabrication, and flight testing.

The project is expected to culminate with X-plane flight tests starting in early 2026.

“The goal of ANCILLARY is to increase small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system (UAS) capabilities by a factor of three over the current state-of-the-art flying today,” says Steve Komadina, DARPA program manager for ANCILLARY. “Our performers are searching for innovative ways to increase payload weight and range/endurance of small, ship-launched UAS by means of novel configurations, propulsion, and controls while also removing the need for special infrastructure.”

The small UAS will need to take off and land vertically – like a helicopter – from ship flight decks and out-of-the-way land locations in most weather conditions but fly missions like a very efficient winged aircraft while carrying significant payload when needed. https://www.darpa.mil

AeroVironment to develop its Wildcat autonomous VTOL UAS for DARPA’s ANCILLARY Program

AeroVironment (AV) was selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for continued development of its X-Plane design for the agency’s AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) program. AV’s offering – Wildcat – is a Group 3 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) developed to execute ship-based operations in challenging maritime environments.

“We’ve prioritized controllability to ensure Wildcat meets the anytime, anywhere goal of DARPA’s ANCILLARY program,” says AV’s VP of MacCready Works Chris Fisher. “Wildcat leans on autonomy to reduce operational burdens while enabling safe, infrastructure-less launch and recovery in challenging conditions from a range of Navy ships.”

Designed for the ANCILLARY program, Wildcat uses AV’s SPOTR-Edge machine learning-enabled computer vision and meets DARPA’s objectives for a 450nm mission radius and more than 12 hours’ endurance on station with 60 lb of payload. Wildcat’s tail-sitter design requires little infrastructure and footprint compared to other offerings. https://www.avinc.com