Sikorsky's Blown-Wing Uncrewed Air System Achieves Major Test Goal | Aviation International News

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Sikorsky's UAS Achieves Hover-to-Cruise Transition Flight

Autonomous drone proved it can transition from vertical to horizontal flight

SIkorsky's UAS successfully demonstrated its ability to transition from vertical to horizonal flight — SIkorsky's UAS successfully demonstrated its ability to transition from vertical to horizonal flight in January, autonomously performing the maneuver 30 times and achieving a top cruise speed of 86 kts. © Sikorsky

By Curt Epstein • Business Aviation Services Editor

March 10, 2025

Sikorsky has reached a milestone for its blown-wing tailsitter uncrewed air system (UAS), which the helicopter manufacturer is developing as the progenitor of a new family of VTOL aircraft. In test flights, the autonomous twin prop-rotor prototype was able to successfully transition from vertical lift to horizontal flight and back again.

According to Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations—the airframer’s rapid prototyping group—the UAS has transitioned dozens of times during testing. The wing-shaped, electric-battery-powered vehicle weighs 115 pounds, has a wingspan of 10 feet, and is controlled by the airframer's Matrix flight autonomy system. The company believes the UAS can be scaled up as a cargo carrier.

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