The US Naval Research Laboratory has demonstrated a new, battery-powered unmanned air vehicle that can fly about 7h after being launched from a ship- or aircraft-based ejection tube.
An undisclosed customer in the US military has plans to operate the experimental fuel cell (XFC) vehicle, the longest-endurance, battery-powered UAV with tube-launch capability, says designer Richard Foche.
While inside the tube, the 7.7ft-long UAV's 10ft wingspan is folded to a diameter of 18.5in. After launch, an upper wing and a lower wing rotate on a single pivot to form an "X-shape" with the fuselage at the center. After the wings are fully extended, two wingtip panels are released, with the airflow pressure locking them into position.
The UAV, on display at booth 256, completed a 6h flight on 2 June that was cut short by a lightning storm, Foche says. The aircraft should have enough battery power on board now to complete a 7h flight, he adds, but that is only the beginning.
"I believe there is growth potential for maybe 12h," Foche says.
With a total 16.5lb system weight, the XFC can carry an payload of up to 2.5lb, Foche says. The UAV is being considered for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and electronic warfare missions, he says.
The XFC should eventually be capable of achieving a dash speed of 52kt and a loiter speed of 30kt.
UAVs powered by batteries can emit less noise and heat compared with internal combustion engines, making them inherently more stealthy for ISR and attack missions.
Source: Flight Daily News
