Photo: United Aircraft Corporation
Professionals from Sukhoi Design Bureau have successfully tested a vertical take-off and landing heavy drone prototype. Take-off, hovering and landing system control and operation algorithms were tested on an integrated flight test facility made from domestic components.
Professionals from Sukhoi Design Bureau are proactively working on creating a brand new off-aerodrome-based heavy lift unmanned aerial system (OAB HLUAS). The new commercial drone does not need any prepared landing areas and airfield infrastructure for take-off and landing. It will help achieve a wide range of transportation and logistics targets – deliver a wide variety of cargo to hard-to-reach populated areas.
“Our drone combines advantages of a plane and opportunities of a helicopter. Hybrid propulsion includes an electric lift propulsion and a piston cruise engine. Vertical take-off and landing are ensured by lift engines mounted on wing beams. The gasoline engine is activated after take-off. Wing improves fuel efficiency and, thanks to vertical take-off opportunity, expensive airfield infrastructure and runways are not required,” said Evgeny Rubtsov, OAB HLUAS project manager, Sukhoi Design Bureau.
Take-off, en-route flight and landing are performed in fully-automatic mode, however, in case of emergency the operator can change the route. The new heavy lift unmanned aerial system is being created for flights in the range of 500 km and will be capable of carrying up to 300 kg.
