Greetings all. I'd like to introduce Lynx, a fixed-wing sUAS developed by Swift Radioplanes.
Description
Lynx is a small UAS inspired by military systems because of their extreme durability and practicality (not price). Swappable payloads make Lynx a great choice for photomapping or research. The aircraft is easily launched by hand and can land conventionally or vertically with a deep-stall. The takeoff and landing method – along with its rugged construction – make the system runway independent and ideal for rough terrain or confined areas. Lynx autonomously navigates itself through fight plans or loiter points. Plans can be pre-programmed before takeoff or uploaded during flight. Manual control is possible with the use of a handheld controller. The entire system packs down into two transport cases.
Lynx is not a mass produced product or a modified RC airplane. It is a handcrafted system and built from top quality materials. Each aircraft is flight tested before completion.
Technical
- Propulsion: electric
- Construction: Kevlar, carbon fiber, foam
- Endurance: 90 min w/ mapping payload (demonstrated @ 5174 ft MSL)
- Cruise: 35 knots
- Wind Limit: 15 knots continuous – gusting 25
- Autopilot: APM 2.6
- Wing Span: 8.25′
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Takeoff: auto or manual hand-launch
- Landing: auto or manual belly land, manual deep-stall
- Payload Bay: 8.25″ x 4″ x 4.75″
- Payload Weight: up to 2 lbs
- Battery Bay: 4.75″ x 4″ x 3″
- Autopilot Bay: 6″ x 2.5″ x 2.5″
Features
A quick look at the Lynx:
- Tool-less assembly
- Hand launched
- Vertical landing
- Waypoint navigation & mapping
- Return home failsafe
- Manual control override
- Throttle safety key
- Swappable payloads
- 90 minute endurance
- Rugged construction
- Transport Cases
- Zero maintenance
- Quiet, electric propulsion
- Spare parts included
Options
Mapping: A professional, ready-to-fly Lynx with integrated autopilot and a dedicated mapping payload backed by Swift RP’s imagery processing and hosting.
R & D: An autopilot agnostic research platform with plenty of room for systems integration and testing. Take advantage of Lynx’s large payload space and removable autopilot tray. Perfect for researchers, academics, hobbyists, and student competition teams.
Landing
Lynx can belly land or deep-stall. A deep-stall is an extremely steep, yet stable landing method used when operating from confined areas. The deep-stall is activated by a safety switch on the transmitter. The descent can be hands-off or the operator can continue to steer Lynx for pinpoint landings. Unlike a parachute, higher winds are preferred because they steepen and slow down the approach. Also, no extra gear is needed, no parachute folding, no parachute malfunctions, no wind drift, and the deep-stall can be aborted during its descent. The aircraft is designed to break apart upon impact to minimize damage.
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKQKAIjP5z0
Visit www.swiftradioplanes.com for more info.
Comments
Hi everybody,
it looks a very interesting plane, but it costs a lot of money for individuals to have one.
please does anybody know the wing chord length and what profile is it , or supply us with a plan for the plane , in order that poors like me be able to build and have one :)
Nice work... Sent an e-mail today.
Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, I'm sure they were, Matthew! ;)
@Matthew - understood! thanks for responding.
@ Eli, We're not trying to hide the fact that we took influences from military aircraft; I stated that from the get go. Regarding unique designs, I've worked alongside aeronautical engineering students who always try to reinvent the wheel. I tell them to find designs that are already proven and take inspiration from them. Now looks aside, I can tell you that our manufacturing and construction process is completely self discovered. AV actually did stop by, they seemed flattered.
@ Rob, I agree. There is definitely an association with Puma whenever you see polyhedral in the UAS world. Plus the fuselage looks like a Cessna with the cockpit chopped off anyway ;)
also, having seen what the aircraft has been used for, I'm very thankful that a rugged design is being put to good use helping people in need! Pumas certainly don't grow on trees, even the Army has a hard time getting enough of them so kudos to you guys for doing good work! I can certainly understand the appeal of copying a proven platform, especially if the designers had experience with it.
Rob, I'm pretty familiar with the Puma having done some work with a few of them, and this design is quite similar. Same internal arrangement, pads for landing, tail design, prop, etc
I understand the design space for a "truck" UAV meant for general purpose missions is somewhat odd and most people go down similar paths, but this is something I've thought about a lot over the past year helping out with an undergrad aircraft design course.... Students frequently fall into the trap of designing something that looks like something they've seen before and not knowing why certain design decisions were made. Not understanding the reasons for design means you don't explore the design space more for that real competitive advantage-- the extra payload or speed or endurance. Since design is informed by personal experiences and preferences, I would have expected a different group of people to turn out a different aircraft! I don't want to sound like a curmudgeon, I've just spent a looooong year fighting with students about the whole design process and trying to be thoughtful at all phases of the design process.
I hate seeing negative comments on here, I know I get bummed when people write certain types of comments on my posts! I just thought it might interesting to talk about design similarities between separate products as I know people have gotten peeved about that in these forums.
Eli, how is it possible to do anything "unique" or new, on such a basic, basic airframe design. You say this looks like a Puma. Well, I think the Puma looks a lot like my old Carl Goldberg Gentle Lady that I had 20 years ago. Just a bit fatter.
I mean really... what can you do with a square fuselage, conventional tail, long wing-span with polyhedral design?
What did aerovironment say when they stopped by your booth at AUVSI?
While I think that bumping up the robustness of aircraft is a great thing, doing so in a derivative fashion seems to me to be slightly against the "diy" ethos we normally see on here. This aircraft looks identical to the puma except for some planform differences. Although the price point is enticing, I would have more warm-fuzzies about this vehicle if it looked different and innovative!
Not to take anything away from you guys, building a reliable, rugged fixed wing aircraft is a big accomplishment and something most hobbyists don't get exposure to, but the extreme similarity to an existing aircraft doesn't sit well with me.
http://youtu.be/hAmLNDeJshM
Another deep-stall video from a different perspective.
Also, here is the camera stowed for landing.
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