Elroy Air’s Post

AFWERX Agility Prime is advancing the development of cutting-edge vertical lift aircraft technologies, including hybrid-electric and autonomous flight systems. During the National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum in Springfield, Ohio, Jacob Wilson, Agility Prime's acting branch chief, provided an update on the program's progress. He identified these systems as “key enablers” for military applications, particularly noting that hybrid-electric designs offer greater range compared to fully electric models. Wilson also emphasized a growing interest across the United States Air Force and other military branches in “transformative vertical lift” technologies. This category includes battery-powered aircraft, hybrid-electric systems, and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles. Of these, Wilson noted, "We expect that there might be a quicker transition path for hybrid-electric" aircraft into military service, highlighting their potential for faster operational adoption. Read more: https://ow.ly/KeVF50Tvpmn . . . #AFWERX #Prime #transformativeverticallift #hybridelectric #autonomousflight #futureofflight #innovation #technology

Mayman Aerospace has completed flight tests of its Razor testbed VTOL aircraft at a military base in Southern California. The Razor testbed is exactly the same dimensions and weight as Mayman’s planned production aircraft, the Razor P100. It also uses the same propulsion, engine gimballing, thrust vectoring and flight control systems. David Mayman, founder and CEO of Mayman said: “Our recent flight tests were 100% successful and we are confident Razor will reach speeds greater than 450kts. As a multi-role, dual use technology Razor is already changing the way defence commanders and civilian leaders are thinking about autonomous VTOL applications.” Dr Manu Sharma, chief engineer, at Mayman added: “In these flight tests we flew seven autonomous mission sets and all systems worked perfectly as planned. The primary objective was to validate recent flight-software and control-law updates, with particular attention to the change from hover mode with the engines canted outwards from the aircraft centre, to transition mode with all engines canted in the same direction, which is required to get us into winged flight.” Read full: https://lnkd.in/eDHq3GRJ

🛩️#ICYMI The Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems Directorate successfully flew the XQ-67A, an Off-Board Sensing Station, or OBSS, uncrewed air vehicle Feb. 28, 2024, at the General Atomics Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility near Palmdale, California. The XQ-67A is the first of a second generation of autonomous collaborative platforms. It has been just over two years in the making, moving quickly through the design, build and fly process. The XQ-67A proves the common chassis or “genus” approach to aircraft design, build and test. This approach paves the way for other aircraft “species” to be rapidly replicated on a standard genus chassis, similar to the way the auto industry produces a vehicle product line. Ultimately, this approach will help save time and money by leveraging standard substructures and subsystems, responding to the challenge of great power competition by speeding delivery of affordable, advanced capability to the warfighter. #autonomy #AVgeek #autonomousaircraft #defense

The XQ-67A is the first of a second generation of autonomous collaborative platforms, or ACP... Following the success of the XQ-58A Valkyrie, the first low-cost uncrewed air vehicle intended to provide the warfighter with credible and affordable mass, the XQ-67A proves the common chassis or “genus” approach to aircraft design, build and test...“This approach will help save time and money by leveraging standard substructures and subsystems, similar to how the automotive industry builds a product line,” Meador said. “From there, the genus can be built upon for other aircraft — similar to that of a vehicle frame —with the possibility of adding different aircraft kits to the frame, such as an Off-Board Sensing Station or Off-Board Weapon Station, [or OBWS].” #ACP #AF #afrl #AirForce #AirForceResearchLaboratory #Aircraft #Airpower #AleahMCastrejon #autonomouscollaborativeplatform #FS #genus #GPC #innovation #LCAAPS #LCAAT #LCASD #OBSSXQ58A #OBWS #USAF #XQ67AValkyrie https://lnkd.in/gRcm-hk2

The following snippets lifted from various articles are emblematic of the reason I'm cautious about claims of early certification of eVTOL aircraft, especially those using tilt rotors: * Over 45 different aircraft have flown proving VTOL (and STOL) capabilities, of which the V-22, Harrier "jump jet" family, Yakovlev Yak-38 and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets have proceeded to production * The FAA stated that the [aircraft with both rotors and fixed wing for lift generation] was to be certified in compliance with both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft rules. * The first commercial tilt-rotor, the AW609, has been in development and certification for nearly thirty years, primarily because of the challenge of tilt-rotors and transition from vertical to horizontal flight and vice versa. Its still not certified. * Given commercial aviation has continously reduced the number of moving or installed parts, the propensity towards more power units, more propellers and, sometimes, more wings, doesn't appear to be aligned with the historical design development of optimal flight platforms, especially where such 'extra' components are not required purely for redundancy. * Engineers have proven time and time again that they can innovate and overcome many of the physical limitations of flight but just because they can do it doesn't make it commercially viable. What do you think? Personally, I think we will see a modest level of commercial eVTOL operations but will they be scalable to the levels the platform developers fantasize and prophesize about?

The XQ-67A is the first of a second generation of autonomous collaborative platforms, or ACP... Following the success of the XQ-58A Valkyrie, the first low-cost uncrewed air vehicle intended to provide the warfighter with credible and affordable mass, the XQ-67A proves the common chassis or “genus” approach to aircraft design, build and test...“This approach will help save time and money by leveraging standard substructures and subsystems, similar to how the automotive industry builds a product line,” Meador said. “From there, the genus can be built upon for other aircraft — similar to that of a vehicle frame —with the possibility of adding different aircraft kits to the frame, such as an Off-Board Sensing Station or Off-Board Weapon Station, [or OBWS].” #ACP #AF #afrl #AirForce #AirForceResearchLaboratory #Aircraft #Airpower #AleahMCastrejon #autonomouscollaborativeplatform #FS #genus #GPC #innovation #LCAAPS #LCAAT #LCASD #OBSSXQ58A #OBWS #USAF #XQ67AValkyrie https://lnkd.in/g4KjQpH6

Scaled Composites completes the first flight of the Model 437 Vanguard, a versatile, low-cost, multi-mission aircraft concept

𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬: 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: https://lnkd.in/dDMf9v-5 The aircraft fuel systems industry plays a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of modern aircraft. These systems are designed to manage fuel delivery, distribution, and storage within an aircraft, ensuring optimal performance during flight. With the ongoing advancements in aerospace technology, there has been a growing demand for more sophisticated and reliable fuel systems that can support the next generation of aircraft, including commercial jets, military planes, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The industry is seeing significant growth, driven by increasing air travel, rising defense budgets, and the push for more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft. One of the primary drivers of growth in this industry is the increasing global demand for air travel. As more people take to the skies, airlines are expanding their fleets, which in turn drives the demand for advanced fuel systems. Additionally, the need for fuel efficiency and reduced emissions is pushing manufacturers to innovate and develop systems that can meet stringent environmental regulations, further propelling industry growth. A significant opportunity lies in the development of fuel systems for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. As the aerospace industry shifts towards greener technologies, there is a growing need for specialized fuel systems that can support these new propulsion methods. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬: Eaton, Parker Hannifin, Woodward, Honeywell International, Triumph Group, Meggitt PLC, GKN PLC, Zodiac Aerospace, Crane, United Technologies The aircraft fuel systems industry is poised for robust growth, driven by increasing air travel, technological advancements, and the shift towards more environmentally friendly aviation solutions. #AircraftFuelSystems #AviationTechnology #AerospaceEngineering #AviationInnovation #FuelEfficiency #AircraftMaintenance #analysis #imrmarketreports #AerospaceIndustry #GreenAviation #AviationSafety

The XQ-67A is the first of a second generation of autonomous collaborative platforms, or ACP... Following the success of the XQ-58A Valkyrie, the first low-cost uncrewed air vehicle intended to provide the warfighter with credible and affordable mass, the XQ-67A proves the common chassis or “genus” approach to aircraft design, build and test...“This approach will help save time and money by leveraging standard substructures and subsystems, similar to how the automotive industry builds a product line,” Meador said. “From there, the genus can be built upon for other aircraft — similar to that of a vehicle frame —with the possibility of adding different aircraft kits to the frame, such as an Off-Board Sensing Station or Off-Board Weapon Station, [or OBWS].” #ACP #AF #afrl #AirForce #AirForceResearchLaboratory #Aircraft #Airpower #AleahMCastrejon #autonomouscollaborativeplatform #FS #genus #GPC #innovation #LCAAPS #LCAAT #LCASD #OBSSXQ58A #OBWS #USAF #XQ67AValkyrie https://lnkd.in/g_aXcbTf

The cockpit is the control centre of an aircraft, where pilots command and navigate the plane. Equipped with all necessary instruments and controls, it’s crucial for flight operations. Fun fact: Modern cockpits are designed with advanced technology, often called "glass cockpits," featuring digital displays instead of traditional dials and gauges. This innovation enhances pilot efficiency and safety. #MHICA #MHICanada #OntarioAerospace #Aviation #OntarioAerospaceIndustry