This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
A growing competition between VTOL unmanned air systems (UAS) is expected in the coming years.
An innovative electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed in a cooperative Airbus Group effort has entered a new phase of flight testing, validating the concept’s ability to takeoff, land and hover as a quadcopter, then fly with speeds of a fixed wing aircraft.
The Quadcruiser made the first transition last week from VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) and hover modes to horizontal flight, validating its stability and controllability.
Quadcruiser is a joint effort of Airbus Group Innovations – the research and development arm managed.
Register to iHLS Israel Homeland Security
The Quadcruiser’s VTOL and hover flight is achieved with the four vertically-oriented electric lift motors, enabling it to perform like the well-known quadcopter-type remotely-controlled vehicles. During transition to fixed-wing aircraft mode, Quadcruiser’s rear pusher propeller accelerates the aircraft until its wings provide sufficient lift. The lift motors are then stopped, and their propellers adjusted to a low-drag position. Before landing, Quadcruiser transitions back to the quadcopter mode using its four lift motors.
Israel aerospace industries (IAI) is also in the market with its Panther VTOL UAS.
![IAI's Mini UAS Panther Fixed Wing VTOL UAV System](https://i-hls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Mini-UAS-Panther-Fixed-Wing-VTOL-UAV-System.jpg)
The Panther is a uniquely designed Fixed Wing VTOL UAV System with a tilt rotor capability that provides a remarkable solution to a wide variety of tasks when pin-point automatic take off and landing is a requirement.
The system can be utilized in military, civilian and homeland security (HLS) operations providing high level of operational flexibility and a small logistical footprint.
![Arie Egozi i-HLS Editor-in-Chief](https://i-hls.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/egozi300.jpg)
i-HLS Editor-in-Chief