Category Archives: VTOL

AeroVironment Gets $47M JUMP 20 VTOL Contract for Italy

– AeroVironment has announced it has been awarded a $46.6M contract by the Italian Ministry of Defence for the delivery of its JUMP 20 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) medium uncrewed aircraft system (MUAS). The five-year contract encompasses the procurement of JUMP 20 air vehicles, engineering services, initial sustainment and onsite technical support – ensuring rapid fielding and operational readiness from day one. Continue reading →

Mayman Aerospace RAZOR VTOL Achieves Fully Autonomous Inaugural Flight

On March 31st. Mayman Aerospace announced the successful completion of test flights for the RAZOR P100, which will be the first commercial aircraft in the company’s family of autonomous UAS. The achievement marks a major milestone not only for RAZOR but for the company’s strategic vision and market position. Continue reading →

Ascent AeroSystems Introduces HELIUS Coaxial Nano UAV

– Ascent AeroSystems has introduced HELIUS, the company’s first entry into the sub-250g UAV sector. Debuted at VERTICON (formerly HAI Heli-Expo), in Dallas, Texas, HELIUS is designed to be an affordable AI-enabled, American-Made, NDAA-compliant option for law enforcement, emergency response, government, and industrial enterprise operators looking to upgrade or replace other systems. Continue reading →

Sikorsky Flies Rotor Blown Wing UAS in Helicopter and Airplane Modes

– Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has successfully validated the advanced control laws to successfully fly a ‘rotor blown wing’ uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in both helicopter and airplane modes. Powered by batteries, the 115 pounds (52kg) twin prop-rotor prototype has demonstrated operational stability and maneuverability across all flight regimes, and the potential to scale the unique vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design to larger sizes requiring hybrid-electric propulsion. Continue reading →