DARPA/ONR Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) UAS

[yasotay]

money and a new DARPA Director who had other priorities.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Wonder why nobody went back to the XF5U/V-173 "Flying Flapjack" design for this. While I don't think it could ever take off vertically, I'm pretty sure it could take off with ~30knots wind over the deck. Just time the takeoff for when the ship turns to put the wind about 30deg off the direction of motion. I know it could hang off the props for a vertical landing, or do a super STOL landing with maybe 50ft forward roll.

Single T700 or so class engine (~2500hp), Currie Industries 9" ring and pinion with 2.73:1 gear reduction to turn 6000rpm at the engine to 2200rpm at the drive shafts, H53 90deg tail rotor drive gearbox.

 

[robunos]

I know it could hang off the props for a vertical landing,

While this was indeed the aim, as far as I know, this was never demonstrated with the V-173, I assume due to lack of power, and of course, the XF5U prototype never flew . . .

cheers,
Robin.

 

[Scott Kenny]

While this was indeed the aim, as far as I know, this was never demonstrated with the V-173, I assume due to lack of power, and of course, the XF5U prototype never flew . . .

cheers,
Robin.

RC models did.

 

[raptor82]

From AVX homepage：

About - AVX Aircraft

ABOUT AVX AIRCRAFT AVX Aircraft Company was founded with a vision of bringing advanced vertical lift solutions to the civil market. This design technology has shown broad application to the military marketplace. Highly experienced engineers and professionals have created innovative designs, that...

avxaircraft.com

 

[yasotay]

I did not realize they had gotten that far with a prototype. To bad it did not get into the air.