Tasuma UK has unveiled a prototype of what will be the largest unmanned air vehicle in its range, with the system being designed for use as an airborne testbed for new payloads and sensors.
The CSV 65 UAV has the pusher-propeller configuration used on other Tasuma vehicles, but introduces an over-propeller-mounted tail boom with inverted tail.
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| A wheeled undercarriage will also be an option on the CSV 65 |
The UAV has a 3.75m (12.2ft) span and an overall length of 3.2m. The forward fuselage retains a boxlike appearance to provide maximum space for payloads. The aircraft is planned to be able to carry sensor packages of up to 35kg (77lb), with endurance forecast at up to 5h. Maximum take-off weight is expected to be 80-85kg.
William Longley, Tasuma managing director, says the vehicle is also being designed to be modular so it can be packed into a transport container around 2.5m long.
As displayed, the catapult-launched prototype featured a skid undercarriage, although Longley says that a wheeled undercarriage is also an option to allow for conventional take-off and landing.
Source: Flight International
