Project Moves To Phase One Of Development
Groen Brothers
Aviation, Inc. told Aero-News this week the US Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has passed GBA's submission for
the third Milestone of its contract to design a proof of concept
high speed, long range, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)
aircraft.
Phase One is a fifteen month $6.4 million award to perform trade
studies, develop appropriate risk mitigation, perform extensive
advanced computer modeling of the entire vehicle, develop the
preliminary design for the Heliplane and complete the rotor system
design.
As Aero-News reported last
November, this modern rotorcraft -- named by DARPA as
the "Heliplane" -- will utilize GBA's gyrodyne technology as
developed for the company's "Gyrolifter" design proposal.
GBA defines a "gyrodyne" as an airplane that does not need a
runway. It offers the VTOL capability of a helicopter, the fast
forward flight of an airplane, and the safety, simplicity and
reliability of a GBA gyroplane. The goal of this proof-of-concept
demonstrator is a greater than two-fold improvement in speed and
range performance over a conventional helicopter.
Groen Brothers Aviation says the Heliplane will have a cruise
speed of 400 mph and an unrefueled range of 1,000 nm (1,152 miles).
The proof-of-concept aircraft will also carry a 1,000 lb
payload.
The objective expressed
by DARPA is to obtain performance out of a rotary-wing aircraft
that is comparable with fixed-wing airplanes in speed and
efficiency. This aircraft type could be the next generation rotor
wing aircraft, meeting economy and performance goals not considered
achievable by any other type of VTOL aircraft.
GBA's team includes: The Georgia Institute of Technology,
Atlanta; Adam Aircraft Industries with locations in both Colorado
and Utah; Williams International with locations in both Michigan
and Utah; and a highly renowned team of aerospace consultants
including key members of the rotor-wing science cadre at Washington
University in St. Louis, Penn State University, and the University
of Maryland, as well as top rotor-wing scientists from throughout
industry.
GBA reports the team is receiving important support from NASA
Ames and the Army's AFDD team at NASA Ames Research Center in
addition to leading Rotorcraft Technologists who for decades led
much of this nation's advanced rotor-wing aircraft development
efforts.
Through its American Autogyro division, Groen Brothers Aviation
has also developed and is currently selling a smaller kit
gyroplane, the two seat "SparrowHawk II," and is offering this
aircraft as a safe, extremely economical Airborne Patrol Vehicle
(APV) for law enforcement and other government applications. GBA is
also developing a production two-seat gyroplane for both the
"Airborne Law Enforcement" and the "Light Sport Aircraft" (LSA)
markets.
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