An unmanned aircraft system (10) has a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode. The unmanned aircraft system (10) includes an airframe (12), a rotor assembly (34) rotatably coupled to the airframe (12) and a propeller (48) rotatably coupled to the airframe (12). The rotor assembly (34) includes at least two rotor blades (40a-b) having tip jets (42a-b) that are operably associated with a compressed gas power system (50). The propeller (48) is operably associated with an electric power system (52). In the vertical takeoff and landing flight mode, compressed gas from the compressed gas power system (50) is discharged through the tip jets (42a-b) to rotate the rotor assembly (34) and generate vertical lift. In the forward flight mode, the electric power system (52) drives the propeller (48) to generate forward thrust and autorotation of the rotor assembly (34) generates vertical lift.
HYBRID POWERED UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM
HYBRID ANGETRIEBENES UNBEMANNTES FLUGZEUGSYSTEM
SYSTÈME D'AÉRONEF SANS PILOTE A PROPULSION HYBRIDE
2020-02-19
Patent
Electronic Resource
English