Mon, Mar 22, 2010
The Hummingbird Met Or Exceeded Demonstration Requirements
During Tests
The Boeing A160T Hummingbird has successfully completed a cargo
delivery demonstration under a U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting
Laboratory contract, proving the unmanned rotorcraft's ability to
resupply frontline troops in rough terrain. The Hummingbird met or
exceeded all of the demonstration requirements during the tests,
conducted March 9 - March 11 at the U.S. Army's Dugway Proving
Ground in Utah.
Boeing showed that the A160T can deliver at least 2,500 pounds
of cargo from one simulated forward-operating base to another 75
nautical miles away in well under the required six hours. The
simulated mission carried 1,250-pound sling loads over two
150-nautical-mile round trips, with the A160T operating
autonomously on a preprogrammed mission.
"The Hummingbird's performance was outstanding, as we had
expected," said Vic Sweberg, director of Unmanned Aerial Systems
for Boeing Military Aircraft. "The A160T's capabilities can fulfill
our customer's near-term need for 24/7, reliable cargo resupply. It
also provides unmatched flexibility to carry out a variety of other
missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance;
target acquisition; direct action; and communication relay."
The A160T completed seven test flights during the demonstration,
including a two-minute hover at 12,000 feet with the 1,250-pound
sling load, and a nighttime delivery to a simulated forward
operating base. The A160T's ability to execute extremely accurate
autonomous deliveries also was demonstrated.
The A160T has a 2,500-pound payload capacity. It features a
unique optimum-speed-rotor technology that significantly improves
overall performance efficiency by adjusting the rotor's speed at
different altitudes, gross weights and cruise speeds. The
autonomous unmanned aircraft, measuring 35 feet long with a 36-foot
rotor diameter, has hovered at 20,000 feet and cruised at more than
140 knots. The A160T established a world endurance record in its
class in 2008 with an 18.7-hour unrefueled flight.
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