Vertical Attitude Takeoff and Landing Remotely Piloted Demonstration Vehicle

Launch and recovery of RPV's aboard ship has been identified by the Navy as a major design impact area. Vertical attitude take-off and landing offers attractive advantages to the Navy in that ship/RPV interface problems are alleviated. To assess these advantages the Aviation and Surface Effects Department at the David W. Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center (DTNSRDC) has designed and constructed a 560-lb. demonstration vehicle. This vehicle during FY-1976 will be flight tested to assess vertical hover capability of the RPV in the turbulent aerodynamic wake generated by a ships superstructure while underway.

The design incorporates a close coupled canard/delta wing configuration. Components from the MQM74A target drone as well as the Harpoon missile are utilized. Other Navy laboratories are cooperating in support of engine installation design and test (NWC), guidance and control (NUSC), power circuitry (NATC), and flight tests (PMTC). Flight tests in hover, horizontal flight, transition (at safe altitudes) and ship docking are planned.