Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has successfully completed tests on an unmanned aerial system (UAS) with a rotor-blown wing, capable of operating in both helicopter and airplane modes.
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The 115-pound (52 kg) battery-powered prototype, equipped with two tilt rotors, demonstrated operational stability and maneuverability in all flight phases. Additionally, tests indicate that the concept can be scaled up to larger versions with hybrid-electric propulsion, expanding the applications of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) technology.
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“Combining helicopter and airplane flight characteristics onto a flying wing reflects Sikorsky’s commitment to innovating next-generation VTOL UAS aircraft. Our rotor-blown wing platform is a prime example of how we are leveraging 102 years of aviation expertise to develop new designs that meet the evolving demands of commercial and military operators.”
– Rich Benton, Vice President and General Manager of Sikorsky
Innovation milestone
Sikorsky Innovations, the company’s advanced prototyping division, led the development of the concept, rapidly progressing from preliminary design and simulations to tethered and untethered flight tests, collecting aerodynamic, flight control, and quality data.
A major breakthrough occurred in January 2025, when the 10.3-foot (3.1-meter) wingspan aircraft performed over 40 takeoffs and landings, including 30 transitions between helicopter and airplane modes, one of the most complex challenges of the technology. In horizontal flight, the aircraft reached a maximum cruising speed of 86 knots.
Simultaneously, wind tunnel tests on a full-scale (1:1) model validated the new control laws, correlating experimental data with real-world performance.
“Our rotor-blown wing has demonstrated the control power and unique handling qualities necessary to transition repeatedly and predictably from hover to high-speed wing-borne cruise flight, and back again. New control laws were required to make this transition seamless and efficient. The data indicates that we can operate from pitching ship decks and unprepared terrain when scaled to much larger sizes.”
– Igor Cherepinsky, Director of Sikorsky Innovations
Future applications
Future variants of the rotor-blown wing aircraft could be used in missions such as:
- Search and rescue
- Wildfire monitoring
- Humanitarian response
- Pipeline and infrastructure surveillance
Additionally, larger models will enable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, as well as joint operations between manned and unmanned aircraft.
All models will incorporate MATRIX, Sikorsky’s autonomous flight system.
A new family of VTOL systems
Sikorsky is developing a family of fixed-wing VTOL aircraft, including winged UAS and single-main-rotor helicopters.
Another ongoing project is the HEX hybrid-electric demonstrator, with 1.2 megawatts of power, a fuselage for cargo or passenger transport, and a tilt-wing configuration. The first hover capability test of the HEX propulsion system is scheduled for 2027.
Source: Sikorsky / Lockheed Martin. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
