AFWERX Selects Developers for Hi-Speed VTOL Drone Project

AFWERX, the Air Force research laboratory's innovation arm, has selected the companies to move forward with its HSVTOL Concept Challenge. Since April 2021, the program has sought to deliver design ideas for high-speed VTOL aircraft capable of agile performance in multiple roles, from Infil/Exfiltration of Special Forces Personnel, aeromedical evacuation, and tactical mobility. The concept would be a new UAV system outside the current roster that could offer a quantitative leap in SOCOM capabilities. 

Valkyrie's Guardian Eagle HoverJets offer 3 distinct modes of operation, being capable of hovering, traditional flight, and amphibious operation. Their all-terrain operation allows for landing on water, ice, or rough terrain as needed, with sufficiently aggressive thrust vectoring to brave most weather conditions, according to company press. The stealth design allows for risk mitigation during infiltration, aided by advanced sensor suites to allow threat detection long before contact. The distributed aperture radar, and extended spectrum sensors can help secure footholds, scout for minute variations in terrain indicative of mines, or surveil a target area. 

The Guardian is the full-size, optionally piloted aircraft slated to carry 7,000 pounds of cargo at sea level with fully autonomous flight capability. When used in VTOL mode, it sports a 2,000 pound useful load. The aircraft measures 24'x30'x6', with a 340 mph cruise speed, 15 hour endurance, and 40,000 foot ceiling. Its younger brother, the Eagle, is an unmanned, 158 lb aircraft capable of 600 pounds of cargo in normal flight, or 200 pounds in VTOL flight. The UAV sports a 138 mph cruise, a 7-hour endurance, and 29,500 foot service ceiling. 

Steve Tafoya, Valkyrie Systems Aerospace Managing Partner, summed up the following steps, “In this next phase, we are looking to develop our solution and concept further to provide the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as well as the U.S. Air Force, the research necessary towards delivering a conceptual design that fits their needs and satisfies the competition.”

“There are so many positives to working with AFWERX as well as United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM),” said Dawson. “Whether it is collaborating to create products that can positively impact our service people by helping to create a more resilient and mission-ready military force or the opportunity for VSA to receive funding for concept development as well as the potential to create business partnerships with the Air Force or other U.S. Government agencies, we’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward in this competition.”

FMI: www.Valkyrieuav.com