The ARES-DV Flight Module lifted off from Piasecki’s West Helipad in Essington, Pennsylvania on Friday, September 6th, and achieved a sustained hover for a duration of approximately one minute before descending. Upon landing, the team attached the U.S. Army’s Mobile Multiple Mission Module (M4) to the ARES-DV Flight Module, and conducted a second successful one-minute hover, demonstrating the ability of its triplex fly-by-wire flight control system to sustain a stable hover in multiple configurations and a dynamic ground environment.
source.image: Piasecki Aircraft Corporation
ARES is a modular multi-mission tilt-duct VTOL vehicle that can be operated as an unmanned aerial system (UAS) or with an optional manned flight module. ARES is designed with a small landing footprint to enable shipboard and expeditionary operations as well as provide embedded multi-mission C4I, ISR, combat, and logistics support to small, distributed combat forces operating over extended distances and in complex terrain.
Rapidly reconfigurable Mission Payload Modules are supported by a common Flight Module to deliver multi-mission flexibility with significantly reduced overall logistics footprint and cost. ARES features Honeywell Aerospace’s Compact Fly-By-Wire system, an integrated flight control system that is both lightweight and robust.
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Designed to fit into the limited space available on smaller aircraft, this state-of-the-art system provides safety-critical flight control capabilities typically found in much larger airliners and advanced fighter aircraft. It enables precise handling and stability across a wide range of flight conditions, thereby enhancing safety and performance — and is especially advantageous for VTOLs, where space is at a premium and weight efficiency is paramount…/Piasecki Aircraft Corporation
Specifications:
- Aircraft type: Uncrewed hybrid-electric VTOL air cargo concept design aircraft
- Piloting: Uncrewed piloting
- Capacity: Air cargo
- Cruise speed: Unknown
- Propellers: Unknown
- Electric motors: Unknown
- Power source: Hybrid-electric power source
