SBIR-STTR Award

The Heavy Lift Multi-mission Hybrid Multi-copter is an autonomous flight vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that will provide the autonomous cargo delivery that the USAF, US Army, USN, and USMC need immediately to counter the current shortage of helicopters and aircrews.  The Heavy Lift Multi-mission Hybrid Multi-copter is a heavy fuel aircraft that folds up quickly to fit into a V-22 Osprey.  Once the V-22 arrives at a staging area the Heavy Lift Multi-mission Hybrid Multi-copter is deployed in a matter of minutes to move supplies from one location to another.  The kerosene-based system on the Heavy Lift Multi-mission Hybrid Multi-copter can use ground vehicle and aircraft fuel to power it.  The current eVTOL aircraft are not mature designs and require batteries to go short ranges and cannot hover for more than 20 minutes.  The Heavy Lift Multi-mission Hybrid Multi-copter can hover for over 4 hours and uses heavy fuel engines that uses liquid fuel that contains more than 13 times the energy density of batteries.  Heavy Lift Multi-mission Hybrid Multi-copter is the only existing vehicle that can be quickly modified for US Military use while also folding quickly with no disassembly into the V-22 Osprey.  The US Army and US Marine Corps also have interest in having this type of aircraft to deliver cargo.  It is likely the Heavy Lift Multi-mission Hybrid Multi-copter will quickly become a joint services aircraft because of its autonomy, modularity, portability, cost and cargo capability.

The Heavy-lift Multi-mission Hybrid Multi-copter is a hybrid fuel/electric heavy-lift long-endurance autonomous-flight Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft that will provide the autonomous cargo delivery that the USAF, US Army, USN, USMC, and USSOCOM need immediately to counter the current shortage of helicopters and aircrews. Since 2010 Advanced Tactics has been the world leader in heavy-lift VTOL UAVs, including the pilot-optional Black Knight Transformer with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 4,500 pounds. AT has utilized a wide range of propulsion systems for UAVs, including fuel/heavy-fuel engines and electric/solar propulsion systems. Advanced Tactics Inc. is a pioneer in heavy-lift VTOL vehicles and holds numerous patents on this technology. The Rotor X Aircraft Manufacturing Co. team-member has been building helicopters for over 50 years, and Georgia Tech. is a team member that is world famous for aeronautical engineering. Potential users of long-range heavy-lift VTOL vehicles include package delivery services (FedEx/UPS), as well as mining and oil companies. Potential government users include the Forest Service, the Dept. of the Interior, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.