Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has successfully validated the advanced control laws for its ‘rotor blown wing’ uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in both helicopter and aeroplane modes. This innovative prototype, weighing 115 pounds (52kg) and powered by batteries, has demonstrated operational stability and manoeuvrability across all flight regimes, showcasing its potential for scaling to larger sizes with hybrid-electric propulsion.
This innovative design aligns with the goals of DARPA’s AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) program, which seeks innovative VTOL uncrewed X-plane designs. The Sikorsky rotor blown wing is one of the designs that could potentially meet the goals of the ANCILLARY program, which aims to increase small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system (UAS) capabilities. ANCILLARY emphasises designs that enable launch and recovery from ship flight decks and small, austere land locations without the need for specialised equipment. The program seeks a leap ahead in vertical takeoff and landing low weight high payload and long endurance capabilities.
Sikorsky Innovations achieved a breakthrough in January, completing over 40 take-offs and landings with the 10.3-ft composite wingspan aircraft. Notably, the aircraft performed 30 transitions between helicopter and aeroplane modes, the most complex manoeuvre demanded of the design, and reached a top cruise speed of 86 knots in horizontal flight mode. Simultaneous wind tunnel tests were conducted on a 1:1 scale model, providing valuable validation of the newly developed control laws by correlating them with real-world experimental data.
“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,” said Sikorsky Vice President and General Manager Rich Benton.
The rotor blown wing design combines helicopter and aeroplane flight characteristics, enabling faster and farther flight than traditional helicopters. New control laws were developed to facilitate seamless and efficient transitions between hover and high-speed wing-borne cruise flight. The design demonstrates the control power and handling qualities necessary for repeated and predictable transitions. According to Sikorsky Innovations Director Igor Cherepinsky, the data indicates that when scaled to much larger sizes, the aircraft can operate from pitching ship decks and unprepared ground.
Potential applications of future UAS rotor blown wing aircraft include search and rescue, firefighting monitoring, humanitarian response, and pipeline surveying. Larger variants could enable long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as piloted drone teaming.
All rotor blown wing variants will include Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ flight autonomy system for navigation during flight.
Looking ahead, Sikorsky is also developing a 1.2-megawatt hybrid-electric demonstrator (HEX) with a tilt-wing configuration for passenger or cargo transport over long distances. A HEX power system test bed is expected to demonstrate hover capability in 2027.
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