First Flight Of The Next-Gen Vertical Takeoff UAV

BAE Systems
Wed, 31 Aug 2005, 09:50

Los Angeles CA: BAE Systems recently achieved a successful first flight of its third-generation vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle at its Southern California flight test facility.
The newly designed IAV2 air vehicle forms the basis of BAE Systems' latest reconnaissance and surveillance configuration air vehicle. BAE Systems is pursuing customers such as the U.S. Marine Corps, Special Forces, Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Forestry Service to integrate sensor packages onto the air vehicle.

The first flight of the IAV2 marked the start of BAE Systems' flight test program of the aerial vehicle. The flight test took place in 103-degree heat, equivalent to more than 6,000 feet of density altitude, and 5- to 10-knot winds. The flight was conducted with a simulated payload of approximately 20 pounds.



"We are extremely satisfied with the IAV2's flight capability, as evidenced by its recent first flight," said Tom Herring, vice president and general manager of Integrated Solutions for BAE Systems.

"Our team is highly energized to work on this challenging opportunity. We look forward to providing our customers with a significant system capability."

The Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) will undergo further flight testing and payload integration prior to demonstrating a fully integrated system.

Using a 22-inch-diameter fan with a nominal outside diameter of 37 inches, the UAV is about 5 feet tall. BAE Systems developed the air vehicle as part of a company-funded research and development effort to design and demonstrate a family of ducted-fan UAVs.

The ducted-fan design shrouds the fan, making it suitable for company- and platoon-level operations in which takeoffs and landings occur in close proximity to the war fighter.

The success of the flight test program follows BAE Systems' VTOL design experience accumulated over the past several years. The IAV2 is currently undergoing payload integration for the future demonstration of a fully integrated system.

www.defencetalk.com...

AWESOME looking UAV.

[edit on 4-9-2005 by Jezza]

I thought they cancelled this program with the start-up of the F-35 program. Oh well. Looks werid, but if it works, who cares. Great find.

Next-Generation Vertical-Takeoff UAV Performs Flawlessly In Fully Autonomous Flight Test
BAE Systems
Tue, 6 Sep 2005, 08:50


LOS ANGELES: BAE Systems has achieved its first autonomous, untethered flight of its third-generation ducted-fan unmanned aerial vehicle. The company's vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air vehicle completed a course of 10 waypoints at BAE Systems' Southern California flight test facility.

The seven-minute flight of the IAV2 ducted-fan air vehicle demonstrated a pre-programmed flight plan that included automatic takeoff, waypoint navigation with multiple groundspeeds and altitudes, and loitering and automatic landing. The demonstration flight was achieved just 10 days after the air vehicle's first flight and was the 14th flight of the IAV2. Flights were conducted at temperatures of up to 109 degrees, equating to density altitudes approaching 7,000 feet, in winds of nearly 15 knots.

Using a 22-inch-diameter fan with a nominal outside diameter of 37 inches, the Unmanned Vehicle (UAV) is about 5 feet tall and has flown with simulated payloads of up to 25 pounds.

"The IAV2 air vehicle is more capable than its IAV1 predecessor, allowing for longer endurance, increased range, higher service ceiling, a lower acoustic signature, and a greater payload capacity," said Tom Herring, vice president and general manager of Integrated Solutions for BAE Systems. "It is designed to operate in hover and forward wing-borne flight modes, the latter providing increased operational range and fuel efficiency. The wings can also be removed for urban operations that require increased maneuverability and a smaller airborne signature."

BAE Systems developed the air vehicle as part of a company-funded research and development effort to design and demonstrate a family of ducted-fan VTOL UAVs. The ducted-fan design shrouds the fan, making it suitable for company- and platoon-level operations in which takeoffs and landings occur in close proximity to the war fighter.

The success of the flight test program follows BAE Systems' VTOL design experience accumulated over the past several years. The IAV2 is currently undergoing payload integration for the future demonstration of a fully integrated system.

www.defencetalk.com...

Another thumbs up for BAE

Pictures

I prefer Bell's UAV

www.bellhelicopter.textron.com...

Originally posted by simtek 22
I prefer Bell's UAV

www.bellhelicopter.textron.com...

Nice looking bird!!!!!!!