Date: 19 November, 2007
The Boeing Company successfully flew its A160T Hummingbird unmanned rotorcraft on 26/9/07 for eight hours while carrying a 1,000-pound payload.
During its longest flight to date and the programme's 42nd flight overall, the aircraft reached an altitude of 5,000 feet near Victorville, Calif. The half-tonne payload simulated the delivery of critical supplies to the battlefield. Future payloads will include a combination of sensors, weapons and systems to perform a variety of missions.
"This is a major milestone for Boeing, the A160 programme and unmanned rotorcraft," said Jim Martin, Boeing A160T programme manager. "The ability to carry a 1,000-pound payload and fly for that duration puts the A160T in a category by itself. In fact, we only used half the maximum fuel so we could have flown many more hours." Since its first flight in June, the A160T has logged several additional flights, including a five-hour flight on 29/8/07. Ultimately, Boeing plans to fly the aircraft for 18 consecutive hours with a 300-pound payload.
The A160T, a turbine-powered version of the piston-powered A160 helicopter, carries a flexible payload module can carry supplies or retrieve downed personnel. The aircraft used during the tests is the second of eleven A160Ts that Boeing Advanced Systems is building for the US Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency. The Hummingbird features optimum speed rotor technology that significantly improves overall performance efficiency by adjusting the rotor's speed at different altitudes, gross weights and cruise speeds.
“The autonomous unmanned aircraft, measuring 35 feet long with a 36-foot rotor diameter, eventually will fly more than 140 knots with a ceiling of 25,000 to 30,000 ft. (high hover capability up to 15,000 ft.) for up to 20 hours,” Boeing explained. “Operational A160Ts will be capable of persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; target acquisition; direct action; communication relay and precision re-supply missions.”