The UK’s Warrior (Aero-Marine) has provided the first projected performance figures for its Gull maritime unmanned air vehicle concept, which the company is promoting in four configurations, writes Craig Hoyle.
Warrior managing director James Labouchere says preliminary specifications outline vehicles with maximum wingspans of 13.6m (44.6ft), 6.8m, 4.4m and 2.4m. The Salisbury, UK-based company earlier this year conducted its first US test flight of a 2.4m-span model of the aircraft, which uses a novel hull design for more efficient take-offs, and lands by performing a deep stall (Flight International, 14-20 June).
The currently envisaged larger versions of the high-wing Gull could be made suitable for amphibious operations through the addition of a retractable undercarriage and be capable of carrying electro-optic sensors, radar, communications and sonar payloads and of delivering search-and-rescue supplies, believes Labouchere. The largest planned variant would have a useful payload of 1t, a cruise speed of up to 210kt (390km/h) and a range of around 3,300km (1,800nm), he says.
Meanwhile, Labouchere hopes to conduct the first flight of the manned Centaur 6 amphibian within months.
Source: Flight International
