Successful Test Flight for Transforming Drone

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Advanced Tactics announced that it has received government approval for and has released the Black Knight Transformer first driving and flying test video. The patented AT Transformer technology combines the capabilities of a helicopter, such as the ability to take off and land anywhere, with a modular payload system. The ground drivetrain can be detached from the flight system and replaced with an amphibious boat hull, cargo pod, or ISR pod.

The flight test was performed at a private location in Southern California and a remote backup pilot was present for safety. The stability and attitude of the aircraft was controlled entirely by the autopilot. The only commands from the remote backup pilot were to increase or decrease overall power. Outrigger landing gear was attached to the aircraft to prevent it from rolling over in case of any mishaps during testing. The aircraft completed multiple short hover flights. Although the aircraft is capable of hovering at thousands of feet above the ground, the altitude was limited to less than 10 feet above the ground for safety. The aircraft was stable, controllable, and performed as expected.

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

The Black Knight Transformer was proposed in 2010 to the DARPA Transformer (TX) program (renamed to DARPA ARES), but was not selected for the program. That program was originally intended to develop a flying truck but in 2012 the goals were refocused on cargo pod delivery. The Black Knight Transformer technology demonstrator has been developed with less than $2M in U.S. government funding and within the original DARPA TX timeline including the first flight in 2014.