The Top Tech Series highlights the latest and greatest federal laboratory inventions that are available for transfer to business partners. Want to suggest an invention? Email us at science@dma.mil.
Technology: Stop-Rotor Rotary Wing Aircraft
Agency: Naval Research Laboratory
What is it?
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has developed a patented system and method of transitioning an aircraft between helicopter and fixed wing flight modes. It’s called the Stop-Rotor Rotary Wing Aircraft. This one in particular is a multi-purpose unmanned aircraft that can do what only toys used to be able to do; change shape. So to speak.
What does that mean?
See the picture? It does that. This system turns a plane into a helicopter. Now, my first thought when I saw this was one of those James Bond car/plane/helicopter/dirigible/spaceship vehicle things that he has (Aston Martin notwithstanding). This is clearly a more reasonable approach to that concept, and arguably less costly. Sorry, Q. They’re like turbo transforming UAVs. I like it.
What does it do?
Recent Comments