Aurora awarded DARPA VTOL X-Plane contract
Aurora Flight Sciences has confirmed that it will build its LightningStrike Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft for DARPA’s VTOL X-Plane programme. The company has been awarded a Phase 1 contract for the programme, which aims to radically improve the performance of VTOL aircraft.
Aurora has designed LightningStrike with efficient hover and high speed capabilities to meet DARPA’s ambitious goals for performance and useful load capacity.
The aircraft leverages Aurora’s flight proven VTOL technology, to achieve improved efficiencies by tightly integrating propulsion into the air vehicle’s aerodynamic design.
Sikorsky is also taking part in the programme, having announced its Phase 1 contract in December. Sikorsky Innovations has teamed with Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works for the contract to develop its unmanned Rotor Blown Wing (RBW) concept. This concept integrates fixed wing aerodynamics and advanced rotor control to provide a low complexity configuration capable of meeting the DARPA programme goals.
The VTOL X-Plane programme is scheduled for three phases over 52 months between October 2013 and February 2018, with the first demonstration flight slated for 42 months after the initial award. The total planned budget is $130 million; DARPA has allotted $47 million in Phase I for multiple individual awards for preliminary concept design and technology maturation. DARPA intends to choose one of the Phase I prime performers to conduct Phase II (design, development and integration) and Phase III (flight-test demonstrations).
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
