Video: Aerovel Flexrotor UAV first transition

Office of Naval Research sponsored Flexrotor vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) advances.

ARLINGTON, Va.—Part helicopter, part airplane, the Office of Naval Research(ONR)-sponsored Flexrotor vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) enters the next development phase April 30 in delivering improved maritime surveillance capability.

The contract awarded today is for the flight controls component. During this phase, Aerovel Corp. will advance Flexrotor’s capability with an upgraded propulsion system to transition from vertical to cruising flight and to land in crosswinds and high winds. The aircraft’s first major milestone was in August 2011, when it successfully transitioned from horizontal to vertical flight and back again.