Unmanned Rotorcraft Powered By Subaru 6-Cylinder
Aero-News has learned Boeing's A160 Hummingbird (below)unmanned
rotorcraft made its first test flight from an airfield near
Victorville, CA, earlier this week. Boeing hopes the ongoing
program will demonstrate unprecedented range, endurance, payload
and altitude capabilities of the unmanned air vehicle.
"This flight –- the first with a six cylinder Subaru
engine -– is an important step toward concept demonstration
of this innovative UAV to offer unprecedented capabilities in the
history of helicopters," said Gary Gallagher, A160 program manager
for Boeing Phantom Works. "It’s gratifying to resume flight
testing as the A160 team does a great job with this new technology.
This aircraft can change all the rules as they apply to UAV
vertical take-off and landing operations."
The new A160 successfully flew for about 30 minutes in the
vicinity of the air field, according to Boeing, bringing the total
number of A160 test flights to 32 and the total number of flight
hours to 58. The objectives of Wednesday's test were to open the
A160’s flight envelope for the latest vehicle configuration,
as previous aircraft used 4-cylinder Subaru engines.
The Hummingbird
features a unique optimum speed rotor technology that significantly
improves overall performance efficiency by adjusting the RPM of the
rotor system at different altitudes, gross weights and cruise
speeds. It is designed to fly autonomously, for much longer periods
of time (in excess of 24 hours), over greater distances (2,500+
nautical miles), at higher altitudes (up to 30,000 feet), and much
more quietly than current helicopters.
The A160 could provide reconnaissance, surveillance, target
acquisition, communication relay and precision re-supply. Its
unique characteristics would allow it to effectively address
current and emerging requirements of the US armed forces,
Department of Homeland Security, and international military and
security organizations.
The A160 Hummingbird is being developed and tested by Boeing
Phantom Works under contract with the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA). Phantom Works currently is under contract
for eight A160 UAVs for DARPA and ten for Naval Air Systems
Command.
According to the company, Phantom Works will complete initial
development of the Hummingbird and then transfer the program to
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems –- a unit of The Boeing
Company and one of the world’s largest space and defense
businesses –- for further development and production.
Phantom Works collaborates with Boeing business units, external
customers, suppliers, universities and other R&D agencies
throughout the world.