Vertical Takeoff And Landing Capability Provides Flexibility, Expanded Mission Set

The inaugural demonstration of Textron's Aerosonde HQ VTOL SUAS has been completed for a customer, according to the company.

The Aerosonde HQ combines the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities of a multi-rotor platform with the efficiency and speed of the Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) fixed-wing aircraft. The event comes just five months after the company first announced the system's proof of concept demonstration.

The demonstration was witnessed by numerous military, civil and commercial customers from around the world. The demonstration showcased the system's runway-independent vertical takeoff and transition to horizontal flight, followed by a landing without the need for any prepositioned personnel or recovery equipment. The demonstration, which took place at the new Textron Systems Unmanned Systems Service & Support Center, also highlighted Textron Systems' service-proven, global support and sustainment capabilities.

"Since announcing our development program earlier this year, we have received great interest from numerous potential customers -- including some who are already working with us on our fee-for-service programs for the Aerosonde SUAS," said Textron Systems Unmanned Systems Senior Vice President and General Manager Bill Irby. "Since then, Textron Systems worked diligently to create an optimized prototype for the demonstration. It was rewarding to share these developments with our potential customers and hear their feedback. We believe this technology holds tremendous potential for our defense, as well as our civil and commercial customers."

With the addition of VTOL capabilities, the system retains service proven capability within a smaller, more portable footprint. The Aerosonde HQ features an eight-hour endurance and 10,000-foot service ceiling. The system incorporates the purpose-built Lycoming EL-005 heavy fuel engine for benchmark-setting reliability and performance.

Textron Systems' highly reliable Aerosonde SUAS has amassed more than 150,000 flight hours in commercial and military operations around the world. The Aerosonde system is a multi-mission capable UAS that offers the ability to simultaneously support electro optical/infrared full motion video, communications relay, automatic identification systems, and intelligence payloads within a single flight. The system also supports a variety of sensors and payloads optimized for civil and commercial missions including survey and inspection.

(Images provided with Textron news release)

FMI: www.txtav.com