Sikorsky Aircraft will deliver two Dragon Warrior unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) to the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) in October for flight testing.
Dragon Warrior is an vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAV evolved from the company-developed Cypher. Sikorsky will provide two UAVs under a $5.5 million contract. The award includes a $3.7 million, 10 UAV option.
Sikorsky is flight testing the first Dragon Warrior at its West Palm Beach, Florida factory. After initial USMC flights in November and December, the UAV will participate in the MCWL's Capable Warrior experiment early next year to demonstrate a tactical reconnaissance UAV's performance in an urban environment.
Unlike the earlier Cypher, the Dragon Warrior, previously known as Cypher II, has a shrouded rotor, pusher propeller and removable wings. Transition from VTOL to wing flight is soon to be tested.
Dragon Warrior's top speed is 125kt (232km/h) and range is 185km (100nm). It can carry a 16kg (35lb) sensor payload.
The UMSC says the UAV will carry a laser designator, forward looking infrared system and TV camera. The USMC has yet to define a requirement for a Dragon Warrior-like tactical UAV.
Source: Flight International