Frontier Systems is to build four additional A160 long-endurance rotary-wing unmanned air vehicles under a US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract potentially worth $75 million. The UAVs will demonstrate the full performance of the vehicle, which has a variable-speed four-blade rotor, explore engine options and integrate payloads.
Under DARPA's Hummingbird programme, Irvine, California-based Frontier is developing a vertical take-off and landing UAV with a hingeless rigid rotor providing low disk loading and low tip speed for efficient loiter and long endurance. The concept promises a range above 3,700km (2,000nm) and endurance of 24-48h, competitive with fixed-wing air vehicles.
Frontier will also demonstrate a lightweight, efficient heavy-fuel engine, running on diesel or JP-8 jet fuel. The goal is a power-to-weight ratio of 1.6kW/kg (1hp/lb). The company will also integrate and demonstrate an electro-optical/infrared surveillance payload. The programme calls for Frontier to design an unmanned ground vehicle deployment system for the A160 and investigate application of the optimum-speed rotor concept to an unmanned tiltrotor.
Source: Flight International
