Aerovel Flexrotor

History of the Aerovel Flexrotor

The Aerovel "Flexrotor" is a highly advanced Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (STUAS) known for its exceptional performance in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions on land and at sea. It boasts unique "tailstock" capabilities, enabling vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) in confined spaces, which enhances its tactical flexibility.

Operating the Flexrotor is user-friendly, with just one operator needed for quick deployment. Equipped with stabilized optics, it offers real-time imaging for search and track operations, even in low-light or nighttime conditions. With an impressive endurance of approximately 30 hours and a video range of up to 120 km, the drone can operate effectively in various weather conditions while carrying a payload of up to 17 pounds for specialized missions.

The aircraft's design features a distinctive curved rotor arrangement, with the lift/drive propeller unit situated on the "neck" of the fuselage, behind the nose section. This arrangement allows for smooth transitions from dive to level flight during takeoff. Moreover, the Flexrotor can autonomously fly along specified waypoints and launch from prepared or unprepared areas, including ship decks. Its stabilizers ensure stable and controlled flight throughout its operations.

In summary, the Aerovel Flexrotor is a cutting-edge STUAS ideally suited for ISTAR missions due to its VTOL capabilities, long endurance, impressive range, and stable flight performance, making it a valuable asset in both military and civilian applications.

Specification

Basics

Years of service: 2022

Origins: United States

Status: Under development

Crew: 1

Production: 10

Manufacturer: Aerovel - USA

Carrier: US (probably)

Roles

Close Air Support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Special Forces

Serve special forces/special operations forces and missions.

Unmanned

Aircraft designed (or later developed) have inherent unmanned capabilities and can fill a variety of battlefield roles.

Notable Features

Vertical Takeoff/Landing (VTOL)

The series has the tactical capability of vertical take-off and/or landing, a characteristic usually associated with helicopters.

Folding wings

The main aircraft is designed to be foldable, increasing storage capacity on land and at sea.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Extended Range Performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Operation Lakes

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Scalable

Has retractable/retractable landing gear to maintain aerodynamic efficiency.

Unmanned operation

The design features the ability to fly without a pilot, with actions controlled by onboard programming and/or ground operators.

Autonomous operation

The design features autonomous flight operations through artificial intelligence or onboard pre-programming.

Camera equipment

Payload supports photographic devices that provide still and/or live image/video results.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 6.6 feet (2.00m)

Width/span: 7. 2 feet (2.20m)

Cured weight: 55 lbs (25kg)

MTOW: 73 lbs (33kg)

Wgt Difference: +18 pt (+8kg)

Main Aircraft Structure

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Shoulder

The main aircraft is mounted on the upper part of the fuselage, usually on an imaginary line that intersects the pilot's shoulders.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Performance

Installed: 1 x 28cc 2-stroke conventional engine in a puller arrangement driving the twin-blade main rotor.

Maximum speed: 87 km/h (140 km/h | 76 knots)

Cruising speed: 53 km/h (85 km/h | 46 knots)

Maximum speed difference: +34 km/h (+55 km/h | 30 kn)

Maximum: 21,325 feet (6,500 m | 4 km)

Area: 1,243 km (2,000 km | 3,704 nautical miles)