Panther-FE Fixed Wing VTOL Flight

Demonstration


The Panther FE hybrid-powered vertical take off and landing drone
developed by IAI and the South Korean company Hankuk Carbon
made its maiden flight in Korea recently. The FE-Panther uses three
electrical motors for vertical lift and an internal combustion engine
for horizontal flight.
The new variant weighs 67 kg. – only two kilograms more than
IAI’s existing three-motor electrically powered Panther. Hankuk
Carbon provides the fuselage assembly, made of lightweight
composite materials, and some sub-systems. The new propulsion
system extends the mission endurance of the Panther by 33%,
maintaining the same payload capacity (6 kg.) as the original
all-electric version.
The hybrid propulsion system enables users to employ two different
power sources – the tilting electrical motors are optimal for vertical
takeoff/landing and hovering, while the internal-combustion engine is
employed for cruising.
IAI and Hankuk Carbon outlined their cooperation a year ago. Under
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two
companies, the parties will pursue the feasibility study of the concept
of a VTOL UAS for South Korean requirements.