|  Among
the aviation programs promoted at the 2007 Modern Day Marine
expo were the new CH-53K Sikorsky, and FireScout Vertical Takeoff
and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VT-UAV) from Northrop Grumman,
which was presented for the first time as a weaponized platform,
loaded with a quad launcher carrying Viper Strike weapons. Models
of Sikorsky's future helicopter versions based on the X2 coaxial
rotor propulsion system included a VT-UAV, an attack helicopter
which could become a future successor for the AH-1W Cobra and
an assault helicopter platform, a potential successor to the
UH-60 helicopter.(more...)
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A new concept from Boeing highlighted a future pulsejet powered
hevy lift VTOL platform, capable of carrying medium armored
vehicles weighing up to 30 tons.
Advanced PulseJet Vertical Lifters
Boeing is studying a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft
that could lift heavy payloads of up to 30 tons, utilizing innovative
'advanced pulsejet' propulsion. While basic pulsejet is well
understood (it was implemented in the 1940s with the V-1 flying
bombs) Boeing patented
this concept for vertical takeoff and lending applications,
combining separate axial and vertical propulsion sources.
The vertical propulsion source includes pulsejet engines located
in separate augmentor bays fitted with having apertured walls
to equalize pulsejet thrust. Embedded within the aircraft structure,
multiple PulseJet engines 'banks' will be used to control the
aircraft attitude, ascent and pitch and support the structural
loads. By using separate axial and vertical thrust sources and
pulsejet engines for vertical thrust, aircraft speed, payload
and operating range are improved while a loss of one or more
lift engines is mitigated by the remaining engines offering
redundant and resilient VTOL capability over any terrain. According
to Boeing, typical operating distance of such aircraft could
be in the 500 - 1,500 nm range, cruising at a speed of 300 -
450 mph. Boeing considers various platforms utilizing the novel
VTOL propulsion, including manned aircraft lifting payloads
of 20 - 30 tons, and small manned or unmanned platforms, lifting
payloads of 1,500 - 10,000 lbs (0.75 - 5 tons).
 X2
VT-UAV
Sikorsky released preliminary details about a new unmanned
aerial vehicle designed for vertical take-off and landing (VT-UAV)
based on its latest X2 technology. The helicopter-like attributes
and high speed (up to 250 kt cruise speed) enable multi-mission
flexibility and grouth potential. This aircraft will be designed
to carry mission equipment payloads of 300 lbs at a maximum
gross takeoff weight of 5,600 lbs. (enhanced up to 6,200 lbs
GTOW). The vehicle will utilize Sikorsky's X-2 technology comprising
twin four-blade counter rotating rotors and a pusher propeller,
both powered by a single 1,800 shp engine. The VT-UAV will be
able to operate autonomously at ranges of 200 nm, performing
ISR missions of 4 hours (time on station).
Alternatively, an armed/attack version could carry 14 advanced
precision kill weapons (APKWS) or four Hellfire missiles on
armed recce missions or perform crisply missions, carrying up
to 1,000 lbs or cargo over 100 nm radius of action.
Other topics covered in this review:
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