Sean Broderick's aviation career started in 1991, working for Airbus in Toulouse. His industry experience includes four years with an aviation consultancy, where he worked on the successful launch of a U.S. Part 121 carrier; 12 years with an airport association as a magazine editor and communications executive; and more than 15 years of full- and part-time work as a journalist, writing about air transport and business aviation. &nbsp;
&nbsp;

Writer

Sean Broderick

Vahana, the electric, self-piloted VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Airbus, recently flew on successive days, marking a milestone in the aircraft manufacturer's push to play a central role in <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-08-31/uber-plans-uuban-evtol-network">autonomous urban transportation</a>.&nbsp;

 


A product of A3, the Silicon Valley-based Airbus advance-projects research arm, Vahana is part of a plan to develop future-transportation demonstrators quickly. The aircraft's first flight, on January 31, lasted 53 seconds, reached a height of 16 feet (5 meters) and was self-piloted. A second fight took place the next day.

 


"Our aim has long been to design and build a single-passenger electric VTOL self-piloted aircraft that will answer the growing need for urban mobility," said Vahana project executive Zach Lovering. "Our goal is to democratize personal flight by leveraging the latest technologies such as electric propulsion, energy storage, and machine vision. Our first flights mark a huge milestone for Vahana as well as the global pursuit of urban air mobility."

 


The first-flight aircraft had a takeoff weight of 745 kilos (1,642 pounds), the company said.&nbsp;Vahana's next milestone will be forward flight.&nbsp;

 


The company also announced California-based MAGicALL as its new motor supplier. It plans to begin using the new motors "soon," Lovering said.

 


Vahana is one of several future-transportation initiatives involving Airbus. The European aircraft manufacturer plans the first public demonstration of its Skyways unmanned parcel delivery system in conjunction with the Singapore Airshow. Developed in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Skyways, which Airbus describes as a&nbsp;fully autonomous octocopter,&nbsp;aims to test and develop&nbsp;regulations, technologies, and operational requirements to safely operate an unmanned package-delivery service in an urban&nbsp;environment.&nbsp;

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Airbus VTOL UAV Completes First Flights

Concept aircraft will progress toward forward flight

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

MQ-9B-mounted radar could complement piloted GlobalEye assets

Saab Fields Interest In LoyalEye Surveillance System

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Hybrid-electric Chaparral drone makes first uncrewed eIPP flights

Elroy Air, Bristow Fly Autonomous Freighter in Louisiana

David Donald

At air force show, the company displayed mock-up of autonomous collaborative platform 

Saab Details Plans For Future Fighter Tech Demonstrators

Charles Alcock

The company assembled the first example in around nine months 

GKN Unveils Swedish Military UAV Technology Demonstrator

Operational trials were held in Michigan during July 

Regent Demonstrates Seaglider Drone in U.S. Navy Exercise

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Saab Fields Interest In LoyalEye Surveillance System

MQ-9B-mounted radar could complement piloted GlobalEye assets

Elroy Air, Bristow Fly Autonomous Freighter in Louisiana

Hybrid-electric Chaparral drone makes first uncrewed eIPP flights

Saab Details Plans For Future Fighter Tech Demonstrators

At air force show, the company displayed mock-up of autonomous collaborative platform

GKN Unveils Swedish Military UAV Technology Demonstrator

The company assembled the first example in around nine months

Regent Demonstrates Seaglider Drone in U.S. Navy Exercise

Operational trials were held in Michigan during July

Elroy Air Wins $46 Million Army Contract for Chaparral

Contract covers jam-resistant navigation and hardened communications links

Robinson Unmanned Advances Through U.S. Drone Program

Sovereign manufacturing expertise essential to Pentagon initiative

U.S. Air Force Extends Collaborative Combat Aircraft Trials

Anduril’s semi-autonomous YFQ-44A Fury evaluated in Nevada sorties

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN