prototype UAV

Images and details  of the most recent short-take-off  prototypes can be seen on the News Page and on video links elsewhere.

35 cc 4 cycle gasoline engine confirming fuel consumption @ 500g per hour  Video clips 8.5 mb 

                                                                                                Short video clips from same flight (5 mb)

FanWing UAV Prototype Development

The Murch/SMART UK government co-funded UAV model is now flying under RC control and engaged in ongoing weight tests, still open ended but with present payload now at 12kg. 

It is clear that the new FanWing technology lift efficiency improves with upscaling. The company are keen to exploit the possibilities with a larger prototype which will not only act as a high-lift commercial  UAV airframe but also provide essential research data for the future manned ultralight.

Achieved and Projected  Milestones

First (SMART) Phase (completed end of 2003): production of a viable long-endurance (> 8 hours) slow-flying manoeuvrable surveillance airframe.

Second Phase: ongoing payload flight tests with onboard surveillance equipment

Projected Third Phase: construction of a new prototype airframe to carry 60 kg of useful payload, with a flight duration of 12 hours controlled by an autonomous flight-control computer.

Specifications of First/Second Phase UAV Prototype

*A new engine will be installed shortly which will use approximately 500 g. of fuel per hour providing 8 hours of autonomy with 4 kg in fuel, leaving 6 kg for electronic payload.        

Early UAV  Prototype Flight Clips (October 2003) with first experiments in surveillance

Preliminary Specifications for Projected Third Phase UAV