With the successful first flight of the new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Sharc, EADS Defence & Security (DS) has launched the flight test campaign for this innovative unmanned helicopter. During the first flight, the unmanned coaxial dual-rotor 200 kg class helicopter – which is being tested by the Military Air Systems unit of DS – demonstrated stability and impressive flight characteristics.

Through this UAV demonstrator – roughly 250 cm long, 70 cm wide and 120 cm high – EADS has extended its range of high-performance UAVs. With a maximum take-off weight of 190 kg, the system can accommodate 60 kg of mission equipment in its payload compartments. Sharc is equipped with a redundant flight control unit, a laser altimeter and also control and data links. Sharc has been designed as an unmanned aerial vehicle without hydraulic components, the rotors being controlled by means of electrical actuators.

“The innovativeness of this demonstrator in all its details provides emphatic evidence of the leading position that EADS Defence & Security occupies in the field of high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles within Europe,” stated Stefan Zoller, member of the EADS Executive Committee for Defence & Security, in reaction to the successful first flight.

The modular design of the avionics facilitates the integration of a whole range of different mission equipment. Tests on electro-optical and infrared sensors are part of the overall flight campaign. In addition, Sharc can also accommodate a compact synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system.

“The Sharc demonstrator is a step on the way to a product that is precisely tailored to our customers’ needs. With its ability to land autonomously on deck, large payload capacity and excellent, stable flight characteristics, Sharc not only meets the navies’ military requirements for unmanned reconnaissance and surveillance as well as aerial target designation and damage control missions, but is also suitable for industrial monitoring,” explained Johann Heitzmann, CEO of Military Air Systems.

Thanks to its flight characteristics and the planned sensor equipment, Sharc already meets all the basic requirements in its pre-development stage before series production. The unmanned helicopter will be capable of autonomous take-off and landing – despite heavy seas – from a ship’s landing.

Source and more info: shephard