Sonacom has revealed plans for a lightweight maritime surveillance unmanned air vehicle (UAV), the VectR. Prototype development is to be completed by the third quarter of this year.
Two variants are planned, a Type 1 with a 4h endurance and a 2.2m (7.2ft) wingspan and the larger 5h endurance Type 2 with a 2.36m wingspan. Planned maximum take-off weight for the Type 2 is 17.9kg (40lb), with a 3kg payload and 5.5kg fuel load.
Both variants will have a pusher propeller. Sonacom chief executive Garry Clarke says a shipboard launch cradle will be used for take-off, while recovery will be via a water landing, although other methods are being studied.
Clarke says construction of two all-composite prototypes commenced last month and the Sydney-based company is targeting a less than A$10,000 ($5,100) unit cost. The UAV is aimed at paramilitary and maritime agency surveillance requirements.
Unveiling of the new UAVs follows last week's commencement of trading in Sonacom shares on the Australian Stock Exchange after a public offering that raisedA$4.2 million in investment funds.
With the University of Sydney Sonacom has also been developing, since 1995, a vertical take-off and landing "tail sitter" UAV for maritime applications. The Mirli is similar to Boeing's abandoned Heliwing UAV, but uses propeller-downwash over lifting surfaces for control rather than helicopter cyclic controls. A half-size demonstrator was first test flown last year.
The full scale Mirli will have a 5m wingspan, a 1,000km (540nm) range and a 90kg payload. According to Clarke, Sonacom will seek a production partner for the VectR and Mirli concepts once research and development is completed.
Sonacom finished trading for the 2000 Australian calendar year with losses of A$6.3 million.
Northrop Grumman's Fire Scout VTOL tactical UAV has moved into low-rate initial production (LRIP) with a $14.2 million US Navy contract for the first of three planned LRIP options.Source: Flight International
