Exclusive Contract Spans 40 Years
Carter Aviation Technologies LLC (Carter) of Wichita Falls,
Texas said Monday that they have completed negotiations with AAI
Corporation on an exclusive licensing agreement for Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (UAS) using Carter's revolutionary Slowed
Rotor/Compound (SR/C) Aircraft Technology - a combination of
rotorcraft and fixed-wing aerodynamics. The 40-year exclusive
agreement covers all UAS programs worldwide.
According to Carter President, Jay Carter, Jr., "This is a
turning point for Carter. As an R&D company we have been
focused on developing and defining our technology and the systems
that would enhance its capability. We now have a viable SR/C
platform that has the ability to compete in both manned and
unmanned sectors with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and
high-speed flight, and a trusted partner in AAI. This partnership
enables us to combine the unique capabilities of SR/C technology
with AAI's unmanned expertise."
UAS In Flight
AAI provides unmanned aircraft systems for customers including
the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Its platforms include Shadow
Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems, which have amassed more than
450,000 flight hours; the Aerosonde fleet of expeditionary small
unmanned aircraft systems; and AAI's One System Ground Control
Station and Remote Video Terminal for unmanned command and control,
as well as manned/unmanned teaming.
Carter's hybrid technology combines the runway independence of
rotorcraft with the cruise efficiency of fixed-wing designs. SR/C
technology enables these capabilities by seamlessly transitioning
lift between the rotor and the wing based on the specific phase of
flight. Carter's SR/C design is a pure autogyro and currently
incorporates 20 patents. In the latest, four-place, civil aircraft
the empty weight is expected to be 2,200 lbs with a gross weight of
3,500 lbs. The unique rotor system will allow jump take-offs
clearing 50-foot obstacles through its vertical takeoff capability.
Equipped with a 350 HP twin turbo-charged engine, the performance
numbers are impressive. At an altitude of 12,500 feet and max
power, the aircraft has a projected speed of 223 mph and, with 500
lbs. of fuel, a range of 768 miles at this max power setting.
Flying at best range speed, the aircraft will deliver a range
extending to 1465 miles. Maximum speed of 250 mph is projected at
25,000 ft with a range of 879 miles at max power and 1510 miles at
best range speed.
UAS In Flight
Leveraging SR/C technology and the civil four-place primary
aircraft components, Carter and AAI have been evaluating a UAS
design variant employing a turbine engine. At 7,250 lbs. gross
weight, with 4,750 lbs. of useful load, the SR/C UAS is expected to
deliver 3000 lbs of cargo to a range of over 1300 nm at speeds of
288 mph. Configured for multi-role UAS missions, the SR/C UAS is
expected to deliver endurance in excess of 24 hrs.
PAV Prototype
All SR/C aircraft variants will be enhanced by incorporation of
Carter's patented landing gear and propeller system. The Carter
gear absorbs up to 24 ft/second on impact. Carter's highly swept,
hollow blade, scimitar propeller design is very light, unusually
quiet, more than 90% efficient and can, because of its wide cord,
produce up to 30% more static thrust than a comparable stock
propeller.
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