The XBQM-108A Vertical Attitude Takeoff and Landing Vehicle.
Abstract
To assess the advantages of vertical attitude takeoff and landing, the Aviation and Surface Effects Department at the David W. Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center (DTNSRDC) designed and constructed a 560-lb demonstration vehicle (designated the XBQM-108A). The design incorporates a close-coupled canard/delta wing configuration that utilizes components from the MQM-74A target drone as well as the Harpoon missile. During the summer of 1976 this vehicle was successfully flight tested to assess vertical hover capability in a tethered hover flight mode. Other Navy laboratories cooperated in support of engine installation design and test (Naval Weapons Center), and guidance and control (Naval Underwater Systems Center). Free-flight tests in hover and ship docking are planned. The need for vertical takeoff capability is due to the current threat imposed on the Fleet by the advent of high-speed cruise missiles. This has increased the importance of dispersing aircraft to nonaviation ships should the need arise. The launch and recovery of RPV's and V/STOL manned aircraft aboard nonaviation ships has been identified by the Navy as a major design impact area. Vertical attitude takeoff and landing (VATOL) offers attractive advantages in that ship/aircraft interface docking problems are alleviated. The VATOL airframe design is lighter and cheaper than other candidate concepts and has superior performance. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA044754
Entities
People
- W. H. Eilertson