In recent years, the UAV / RPA industry has seen an increasing amount of interest in using VTOL platforms, a hybrid between fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms, due to the versatility they offer to the operators. To respond to this interest, UAV Navigation has developed a specific flight control solution for VTOL platforms.
“Our extensive experience with fixed wing and rotary wing platforms allows us to know the strengths and main challenges that these platforms face as a mission is performed”, highlighted Miguel Ángel de Frutos, CTO of UAV Navigation, “Taking this as a starting point, we have managed to develop a specific solution for VTOL platforms that not only has the same technological capabilities as our existing solutions but also enables missions to be carried out with the highest possible security”.
In order to bring this new flight control solution to reality, both development teams in fixed wing and rotary wing have worked together to create the most advanced VTOL solution on the market. Technological capabilities already existing in other solutions such as referenced navigation or the development of missions in environments without GNSS signal and under threat of jamming attack have been incorporated in an organic way to facilitate a complete and reliable system.
“One of the main challenges with VTOL platforms is the transition from vertical to horizontal flight and vice versa,” explains Miguel Ángel de Frutos, “With our flight control solution for VTOL, we not only facilitate and automate this critical moment as much as possible but also managed to optimize the use of the battery and incorporate a series of safety and emergency procedures that allow the aircraft to always reach a safe landing zone and overcome possible errors in the engine ”.
The hardware developed by UAV Navigation has the MIL-STD-810F and MIL-STD 461F certification, proving the system has been tested by an independent body that certifies its extraordinary behavior in adverse conditions.
“Once again, the main motivation that has guided us in the development of this new solution has been the demand from our customers. That is why we have not only developed a complete solution for this type of platform. We have also taken the opportunity to create an adaptable VTOL software architecture that allows our users, if they wish, to customize and configure it through the Ground Control Station, making it unique. A solution practically created to suit you ”, Miguel Ángel de Frutos concluded.