31 January 2020

UAVOS advances unmanned VTOL UAV developments

by Kelvin Wong

UAVOS has expanded its product portfolio of vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (VTOL UAVs) with the UVH R22 platform, which is derived from the Robinson R22 single-engine light utility helicopter.

According to company specifications, the UVH R22 has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 635 kg, measures 8.8 m long and 2.7 m tall, and has a main rotor diameter of 7.7 m. The air vehicle is powered by a 4-stroke Lycoming O-320-A2B engine that produces up to 124 hp, enabling it to cruise and sprint at speeds of up to 160 and 189 km/h, respectively, and attain a service ceiling of 13,779 ft (4,200 m) at a nominal climb rate of 6 m/s.

UAVOS has tested an unmanned version of the Robinson R-22 light helicopter with an eye on logistics operations. The company has also developed several other VTOL UAVs. (UAVOS)

The UVH R22 is also equipped with a 270 litre fuel tank that supports an operational range of 1,020 km or a flight endurance of up to six hours, and can carry 40 kg of stores when carrying a full fuel load. Possible payloads include a light detection and ranging or synthetic aperture radar (LIDAR/SAR), or electro-optical sensors and scientific measurement devices.

The company intends to pitch the all-weather air vehicle – which allows it to be capable of taking off and landing on a level surface 15 × 15 m in size and in wind speeds of up to 14 m/s – to customers that require the ability to perform mission critical deliveries in austere environments, with possible applications including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

UAVOS chief executive officer and lead developer Aliaksei Stratsilatau told Jane’s

UAVOS has expanded its product portfolio of vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (...

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