Image by Northrop Grumman.
Straight up, this unmanned drone can take off and land vertically.
The US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) has contracted Northrop Grumman to design a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone.
Northrop will design the cost-efficient, runway-independent aircraft demonstrator for the AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) program.
The multiple-mission vehicle will be able to take off and land from ship flight decks and small, austere land locations even in adverse weather conditions, without associated launch and recovery equipment.
The goal is to create a tail-sitting flying wing that can take off and land vertically, perfect for use on small decks like those found on destroyers or smaller carriers. During a flight operation, the drone would take off vertically from a tail-sitting position. It would then turn its body to begin horizontal flight, after which it would become vertical again for landing.
The drone has an expected range of 1,111 km (690 mi) and will be able to carry 454 kg (1,000 lb). It is designed to support the Navy in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as small targeting and strike missions. Northrop is expected to create detailed aircraft designs, build two demonstrator aircraft, and conduct land and sea-based testing by the end of its current testing phase.
The drone’s mission roles include intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting.