Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Unveils Nomad Family of Autonomous Drones
Hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drones designed to scale for multiple missions
Sikorsky’s Nomad family of drones
Sikorsky’s Nomad family of VTOL drones can scale from Group 3 UAS (as little as 56 pounds) up to the size of a Black Hawk helicopter. © Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin

Sikorsky Aircraft has unveiled a family of long-endurance, high-payload uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) that the helicopter manufacturer is offering for defense, national security, and civilian applications. 

Known as Nomad, the twin prop-rotor family will feature Sikorsky’s Matrix autonomy system, which enables optionally-piloted flight in various rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft platforms. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, developed its Matrix technology for DARPA’s ALIAS (Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System) project, which aims to improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft.