UK eVTOL manufacturer Skyfly has been selected to join the UK Ministry of Defence’s UASHLC (Uncrewed Air Systems Heavy Lift Capability) Framework with the eHarrier unmanned electric vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The eHarrier is a military version of Skyfly’s Axe eVTOL, a two-seat general aviation aircraft aimed at private owners, which recently commenced manned test flights.
The eHarrier boasts the same basic design as the Axe, combining the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the efficiency and simplicity of a fixed-wing aircraft – but at a lower cost and with a lower noise footprint than either.
Like the Axe, the eHarrier can be used in a fully-electric or hybrid-electric configuration. However, unlike the Axe, it can be piloted remotely or autonomously, and is able to be fitted out for crewed or uncrewed missions. These missions could include the insertion of troops, medical evacuation and the transportation of cargo and supplies, among various other potential mission sets.
“Upon the release and launch of the Axe as a 2 seat personal vehicle, we have received significant interest from both public and private sectors for an unmanned variant due to the heavy lift capability and improved range when compared to existing UAV systems on the market. We look forward to demonstrating the eHarriers capabilities to the MOD,”
said Michael Thompson, CEO, Skyfly.
The UASHLC Framework is a £95 million programme run by the UK Ministry of Defence’s Future Capabilities Innovation office. It is tasked with expediting the development of unmanned heavy-lift aircraft and bringing them to market as fast as possible to meet the requirements of the UK military.
The project is particularly aimed at developing new technologies for the maritime environment, where the eHarrer could be used to transport equipment and supplies between vessels, or from ship to shore, operating at a fraction of the cost of a conventional helicopter.
Skyfly will be eligible to bid for upcoming UASHLC contracts and associated funding by optimising the eHarrier to meet specific tasking requirements and mission sets.
Source: Skyfly