An Innovative UAV Design

This paper describes the application of an innovative vertical lift propulsion system to a special purpose Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The propulsion concept is based on the proven lift fan technology originated in the mid 1950’s, but never extended to UAVs. Early manned aircraft investigations, originated by the General Electric Company and Ryan Aeronautical Company culminating in the Army’s XV-5A test aircraft (1964-1972). This paper advances the proposition that lift fan technology can resolve the persistent problem of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, namely, propulsion miss-match between vertical and horizontal flight. This is accomplished by vertical-lift thrust augmentation in an efficient manner using the gas-coupled fan-in-wing principle. The concept has wide application to stealth configurations and is suited to deployment aboard air capable naval combatants such as the modern DD-21 type destroyers.