Volz Servos is supporting the Quantum Systems Twister sUAS project, providing customized actuator technology for the short-range reconnaissance electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) platform.
The company’s DA 15-N servos control the aircraft’s wing flaps, forming a critical part of the flight control system in a design that combines vertical lift with fixed-wing flight.
As Volz Servos CEO Phillipp Volz states, “Twister is basically a vertical take-off and landing aircraft with fixed wings and two rotors. During flight, steering is controlled solely by two ailerons on the wings — and this is why our servos are absolutely crucial for Twister’s performance and reliability.”
To align with the program’s requirements, the DA 15-N units incorporate the ARINC 825 CAN protocol. This aerospace-focused standard builds on conventional CAN by introducing additional structure around timing, prioritization, and system reliability, supporting its suitability for certification.
Designed for operation in constrained and challenging environments, Twister is capable of autonomous VTOL within spaces as small as 2 x 2 meters, placing high demands on control accuracy and system dependability.
The platform is designed for reconnaissance missions and can operate in GPS-denied environments through the fusion of visual data and inertial sensors, where reliable autonomous and remote control is essential.
Twister features a maximum take-off weight of 4 kg, endurance of up to 90 minutes, and a range of 15 km. Its compact form factor allows it to be carried in a rucksack and deployed by a single operator, supporting real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in both day and night conditions.
Benedikt Kössinger, Head of Supply Chain Management at Quantum Systems, comments, “Our electric vertical take-off and landing systems boast industry-leading endurance, ease of operation, and reliability. And this reliability obviously extends down to the individual component. That is precisely why it is extremely important for us to have partners such as Volz Servos in our supply chain. Here, we know that we are getting exactly the quality we need for demanding missions.”
Volz Servos notes that robust actuator performance remains a key enabler for reliable operation in next-generation autonomous aircraft.
