Arcturus UAV has unveiled JUMP, a vertical takeoff and landing system for their T-20 and T-16 fixed wing UAVs. Booms fitted with vertical lift motors and rotors are mounted to each wing to provide vertical lift for takeoff and landing. Vertical lift motors are shut off for winged flight and propellers are feathered longitudinally for minimum drag.
Seamless transition to winged flight is achieved by the Piccolo autopilot using Latitude Engineering’s Hybrid-Quadrotor technology. All flight control is fully autonomous. Arcturus JUMP™ enjoys all of the versatility of a quad rotor while retaining the superior range and endurance of a fixed wing.
JUMP™ fitted Arcturus air vehicles require no special launch equipment and do not require runways for launch or landing. JUMP™ can be easily transported and operated by only two technicians. Once on site, JUMP™ can be set up and ready for flight in less than 15 minutes.
Complete nonsense!
Adds weight, uses energy which can be better used and the gain is nothing!
Use a catapult en land by parachute! and you are able to fly longer missions.
I am really unimpressed by this utter nonsense.
I am hoping your response is simply a poor attempt at trolling this idea.
A catapult will add weight and bulk that needs to be carried.
The idea of the system is a VTOL not a catapult with a parachute. It is able to take off in tight spots. Yes it uses more power but it uses it for a purpose. Maybe adding a parachute for landings will help conserve power?
A fixed wing aircraft can’t hover as this one did. It was built for a purpose, not to be like every other aircraft.
Perhaps it is better to have an open mind and make suggestions as part of a community rather than slam a good idea.