Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Technology Demonstrator

Abstract

The Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Technology Demonstrator program, an outgrowth of the Mission Adaptive Rotor program, will demonstrate revolutionary improvements in (heavier than air) VTOL air vehicle capabilities and efficiencies through the development of subsystem and component technologies, and aircraft configurations and system integration. The program will lead to ground and flight tests of a technology demonstrator aircraft. Program goals include demonstrating flight speeds in excess of 300 kts, while simultaneously retaining and proving enhanced hover and hot/high operation that are key and unique to VTOL flight. Improvements in aircraft productivity indices that are reflective of meaningful gains in military transport efficiencies of the system will be a key focus of the program. Considerations will include alternative (for example, non-rotary wing) air vehicle configurations that embrace efficient new designs when addressing lift offset, propulsive compounding, and other solution spaces. A strong emphasis will be placed on the development of elegant, multi-functional subsystem technologies that demonstrate net improvements in aircraft efficiencies that will be exemplified on the basis of defined productivity metrics. Additionally, the program will design and demonstrate new concepts of adaptable landing gear to enable operations from irregular landing zones and moving launch/recovery platforms. Furthermore, novel electric power generation, motors, and distributed propulsion systems will also be studied in detail for future VTOL applications, including thrust and control authority augmentation, and power on demand. The VTOL Technology Demonstrator will demonstrate the mission utility of the new technologies to enable previously un-executable missions and new concepts of operation.

Document Details

Document Type
Accomplishment
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2014
Source ID
374ff918728eef40ce65684f1ae9f2d1

Tags

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers

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