Successful Autonomous Flight Tests of Turbine-Powered VTOL Aircraft at U.S. Military Base

Mayman Aerospace, supported by Edge Group/SDF, has completed autonomous flight tests of its RAZOR VTOL test bed at a U.S. DoD airbase in California, showcasing advanced propulsion and flight control systems By Sarah Simpson / 08 Oct 2024

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Successful Autonomous Flight Tests of Turbine-Powered VTOL Aircraft at U.S. Military Base
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Mayman Aerospace, a leader in VTOL aircraft technology, has conducted successful flight tests of its RAZOR VTOL test bed at a military facility in Southern California.

The aircraft replicates the size and weight of the RAZOR P100, utilizing similar propulsion, engine gimballing, thrust vectoring, and flight control technologies.

This milestone, supported by Edge Group/SDF from the UAE and partially funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, is crucial to advancing autonomous operations in defense.

The fully autonomous flight tests validated several key systems, including avionics, flight control laws, thrust vectoring, and command and control (C2) systems. One of the central objectives was to transition from hover mode to high-speed winged flight, a capability vital for the RAZOR’s operational success. These tests continue to demonstrate the RAZOR’s ability to execute autonomous take-offs and landings with precision.

The RAZOR VTOL platform is designed to support a variety of defense applications. It offers rapid transport of critical supplies and can be adapted to extend the operational range of small Air-to-Air and Air-to-Surface missiles, including Brimstone and Hellfire, allowing for precision strikes over distances greater than 200 miles. Additionally, its vertical launch capability eliminates the need for specialized launch infrastructure, making it a highly versatile platform in the field.

Key Features:

  • Autonomous VTOL capability for rapid deployment in constrained environments
  • AI-driven C2/C3 systems for accurate, cost-effective payload delivery
  • Capable of functioning as an ISR platform, target designator, and missile delivery system
  • Speeds up to 500 mph with advanced high-altitude surveillance technology
  • Designed for dual-use in both military and civilian operations

Chief Engineer Dr. Manu Sharma commented on the success of the tests: “During these tests, we executed seven autonomous mission sets, with all systems operating flawlessly. A key objective was to validate recent updates to our flight software and control laws, especially the transition from hover mode with outward-canted engines to coordinated winged flight. This transition is critical for our operational capabilities, and accumulating more autonomous flight time during take-offs and landings further strengthens our confidence in the system.”

Founder and CEO David Mayman added, “Our recent flight tests were a complete success, and we anticipate the P100 will surpass speeds of 450 knots. As a multi-role, dual-use technology, RAZOR is redefining the perspectives of defense commanders and civilian leaders regarding autonomous VTOL applications. We are a software-driven hardware company, and our team is achieving performance levels previously thought unattainable.”

These flight tests mark a significant advancement for Mayman Aerospace, with further tests scheduled for later in the year.

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Posted by Sarah Simpson Edited by Sarah Simpson, Content Manager with a passion for research and creating digital copy with a focus on new technology. Connect & Contact

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