Pterodynamics, a company specializing in autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft systems, has recently undertaken sea trials with the US Navy, showcasing the impressive capabilities of its Transwing drone, which successfully demonstrated autonomous landing on a moving target.
The Transwing drone boasts a unique design, featuring dihedral folding wings that provide exceptional range and increased cargo capacity.
(Photo : PteroDynamics)
Pterodynamics has recently undertaken sea trials with the US Navy, showcasing the impressive capabilities of its Transwing drone, which successfully demonstrated autonomous landing on a moving target.
Pterodynamics has recently undertaken sea trials with the US Navy, showcasing the impressive capabilities of its Transwing drone, which successfully demonstrated autonomous landing on a moving target.
The Hybrid Fleet Campaign
PteroDynamics conducted a successful demonstration of the Transwing drone's advanced capabilities during the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command U.S. 4th Fleet Hybrid Fleet Campaign Event on the expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington.
The trials, held over six days starting October 8, involved nine autonomous launch and recovery demonstrations, emphasizing the drone's potential for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore logistics and critical maritime resupply missions.
The Hybrid Fleet Campaign Event focused on assessing combined unmanned and manned systems to support the U.S. 4th Fleet in executing its broader operational missions.
The event provided a crucial platform for the evaluation of innovative technologies in a real-world environment, enabling developers to receive feedback from sailors and marines.
Distinguished representatives from various naval forces, including the U.S. Navy, the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, and the Swedish Navy, attended the event, which featured the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti.
Tim Whitehand, Vice President of Engineering at PteroDynamics, expressed the company's commitment to delivering a flexible and scalable shore-to-ship, ship-to-ship, and ship-to-shore automated cargo delivery capability for the U.S. Navy.
"Flight testing on board the USNS Burlington gave us a unique and valuable opportunity to collect performance data on the Transwing system in an operational environment. The information gathered during the event will accelerate development and seed further innovation," Whitehand said in a statement.
Folded Wing Design
PteroDynamics' Transwing drone introduces a different approach to VTOL aircraft, combining the advantages of fixed-wing aircraft, such as speed, range, and endurance, with superior VTOL performance.
The folded wing design of the Transwing provides outstanding controllability, handling qualities similar to a multicopter, and the capability to function effectively in demanding conditions, such as turbulent winds and high sea states, according to the company.
The sea trials provided essential data on crucial operational features of the Transwing platform. This encompasses its seamless integration with ship operations, independent takeoff and landing facilitated by computer vision, the smooth transition from VTOL to cruise flight, and effective navigation to and from a moving ship at sea.
PteroDynamics anticipates using this valuable data to further enhance the Transwing drone's capabilities for prospective naval applications.
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