Another first from the "don't apply if your resume doesn't say MIT on it" department. The Eurocopter may have been the first to summit Everest, Alan Szebo Sr/Jr may rule the 3D kingdom, but the Hummingbird's got the endurance record now.http://www.darpa.mil/body/news/2008/A160DARPAReleasev4.pdfNow if only the Hummingbird could repeat these stunts without crashing.
I think fixed wing is better suited to UAV roles than helis.
Faster delivery to area of opertation,remember helis have a terminal forward speed.
More fuel effience and longer staying on post.
i dont really see a need for a vertical UAV.
Small UAVS can be hand launch and recover with a net.
The only reason would be takeoff & landing in high altitudes like Afghanistan or Mt. Everest but then the question is why anyone would bother climbing to such a high place.
I dont see the reason for hover at high alt out of ground effect.
Other than making landing and take off vertical and some winching pax or cargo which with our larger helis is in ground effect.
The biggest problem faced by helis is endurance.
Comments
Faster delivery to area of opertation,remember helis have a terminal forward speed.
More fuel effience and longer staying on post.
i dont really see a need for a vertical UAV.
Small UAVS can be hand launch and recover with a net.
Other than making landing and take off vertical and some winching pax or cargo which with our larger helis is in ground effect.
The biggest problem faced by helis is endurance.
I wonder what the swash plate looks like under the covers.
I think endurance is more important than altitude.