Airbus Helicopters Trialing VSR700 Autonomous Take-Off and
Landing Capabilities at sea
Airbus
Helicopters has begun trialing autonomous take-off and landing capabilities at
sea for the VSR700, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) being developed in the
frame of the SDAM (Système de drone aérien de la Marine) programme, conducted
by the DGA (Direction générale de l’Armement – the French Armament General Directorate)
for the French Navy.
Trials were conducted using an
optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) based on a modified Guimbal Cabri G2 equipped
with the autonomous take-off and landing (ATOL) system developed for the
VSR700. This flight test campaign paves the way for the upcoming demonstration
of the VSR700, at sea, onboard a French Navy frigate.
“These tests in real-life conditions
constitute a crucial step towards the campaign that we will conduct at sea with
the DGA and the French Navy later this year,” explained Nicolas Delmas, head of
the VSR700 programme for Airbus Helicopters. “Using the OPV, we have
demonstrated the unique autonomous take-off and landing capabilities of the
VSR700. We have also proved the optimal functioning of the vehicle and its
command station interface on board a vessel in realistic conditions.”
The test campaign was conducted off the
coast of Brest, France, onboard a civilian vessel equipped with a helicopter
landing deck in the presence of experts from the DGA. Beyond demonstrating the
ATOL system developed for the VSR700, the trials were also used to assess the
approach procedures before landing on the vessel. The VSR700 flight envelope at
sea, in proximity to a vessel, was tested in line with development objectives
and was confirmed to be fully compatible with naval operations.
Both the semi-autonomous and the fully
autonomous modes of the ATOL system were demonstrated with success in different
sea states. The VSR700 uses Airbus DeckFinder to enable autonomous ship deck
take off and landings in all weather conditions, during the day or night. In
total, 150 autonomous launches and recoveries took place. The handling and
maneuvering of the OPV, representative of the VSR700, on the ship deck were
also tested.
The OPV can carry one test pilot in
order to enable safer and more agile initial testing before those systems are
integrated into the fully autonomous VSR700. The OPV initially conducted
piloted take-offs and landings before switching progressively to fully
autonomous maneuvers.
Designed to operate alongside other
shipborne naval assets, the VSR700 is a UAS in the 500-1,000 kg maximum take
off weight range. It offers the best balance of payload capability, endurance
and operational cost. It is capable of carrying multiple full-size naval
sensors for extended periods and can operate from existing ships, alongside a
helicopter, with a low logistical footprint.
The first prototype of the VSR700
performed its maiden flight in 2020 and expanded its flight envelope in 2021.
In April 2021, the DGA ordered a second prototype of the VSR700 to focus on
trials covering SDAM requirements and to permit broader, more rapid development
towards that goal.
Source: Press
Release
Ingen kommentarer:
Legg inn en kommentar
Merk: Bare medlemmer av denne bloggen kan legge inn en kommentar.