Arcturus UAV enables VTOL for fixed-wing UAVs
Arcturus UAV has introduced a new vertical takeoff and landing system to enhance launch and recovery processes for its T-20 and T-16 fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system, called JUMP, was unveiled on 22 April.
The JUMP system is a boom fitted with lift motors and rotors that can be mounted to each wing of the UAV to provide vertical lift for takeoff and landing. The company designed the system to bring the versatility of quad rotor take-off while retaining the range and endurance of fixed wing flight.
Once in flight, transition to fixed-wing flight is delivered by the Piccolo autopilot using Latitude Engineering's Hybrid-Quadrotor technology. Vertical lift motors are shut off for winged flight and propellers are feathered longitudinally for minimum drag.
UAVs using the JUMP system require no special launch equipment and do not require runways for launch or landing. JUMP can be set up and ready for flight in less than 15 minutes once on site, and it can be transported by two technicians.
D'Milo Hallerberg, president, Arcturus UAV, said: ‘This is a pivotal moment in the history of small UAVs. JUMP is to UAVs what the touch screen was to smart phones. [It] makes exciting UAV technology much more useful.’
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