Our dear partner, Hood Technology, celebrates another exciting success on the VTOL field: FLARES vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) flight operations from a forest clearing.
Hood Tech’s next generation Flying Launch and recovery System (FLARES 2.0) this month demonstrated flight operations from a 200 foot forest clearing, surrounded by 60-140 foot trees. A fixed-wing UAV was launched into flight and recovered from flight, both operations occurring above the tree-tops.
“We selected the test site specifically for its challenging topography, with obstacles in all directions” stated Hood Tech Test Engineer, Cory Roeseler, “That clearing is too small for traditional fixed-wing UAV launch and recovery methods. It is nicely surrounded by tall trees. VTOL was needed, and we were pleased with the way FLARES performed. We launched and recovered a clean aircraft, fully-capable of its original design intent, not a hideous contraption overloaded with VTOL claptrap.”
FLARES released the fixed wing aircraft into wing borne flight high above the tree-tops. Zero modifications were imposed upon the fixed wing aircraft for this vertical launch, since the FLARES system engages the aircraft with grippers at the wing roots.
Capture of the aircraft was accomplished via the “skyhook method,” also above the tree tops. From that capture height, the aircraft was lowered to the ground undamaged. The entire FLARES system was transported to the site as a partial load of a ½-ton pickup truck and setup by a crew of two in under an hour.
This June was the most important for the entire aviation industry. It is the month in which the largest air show in the world is held, the Paris Air Show 2023. MGM COMPRO also participated and here is our summary.
The year 2023 is marked by trade fairs, and IDET, the International Defence and Security Technology Fair, is no exception. The 17th edition took place in May at the Brno Exhibition Centre and we were there.
AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN 2023 is once again here and MGM COMPRO couldn’t miss out. One of the biggest aviation events of this year. Read more about the whole event.