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 sooner and farther than conventional helicopters,” stated Sikorsky Vice President and Common 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 navy operators.”
Innovation Breakthrough
Sikorsky Improvements, the corporate’s fast 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 knowledge.
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, essentially the most advanced maneuver demanded of the design. In horizontal flight mode, the plane reached a high cruise velocity of 86 knots. Simultaneous wind tunnel checks have been carried out on a 1:1 scale mannequin offering priceless validation of the newly developed management legal guidelines by correlating them with real-world experimental knowledge.
“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 have been required for this transition maneuver to work seamlessly and effectively. The info signifies we are able to function from pitching ships decks and unprepared floor when scaled to a lot bigger sizes.”
Purposes of future UAS rotor blown wing plane embrace search and rescue, firefighting monitoring, humanitarian response, and pipeline surveilling. Massive variants will allow lengthy vary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and piloted drone teaming (crewed/uncrewed teaming) missions.
All rotor blown wing variants will embrace Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ flight autonomy system to navigate the plane throughout flight.
Household of Methods
The rotor blown wing design is one in every of a future household of methods in growth by Sikorsky. The household will embrace winged VTOL UAS and single most important 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 show 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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