AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
Bell carries out flight of APT 70 UAV
Bell has conducted the first flight of its Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) 70 vehicle at its testing site near Fort Worth, Texas.
APT 70 is part of the eVTOL family of vehicles Bell is developing, and the company plans to continue testing the unmanned aerial vehicle under an experimental type certificate over the remainder of the year.
It is capable of reaching speeds of in excess of 100mph with a minimum payload capacity of 70lbs, and Bell says that APT allows for flexible missions while keeping operations simple, efficient and fast.
It is capable of flying at twice the speed and range of a conventional multi-rotor aircraft, and is designed for quick deployment, reconfiguration and battery swap and recharge.
‘We are excited to reach this milestone, and look forward to continuing to advance this technology for our customers,’ Scott Drennan, vice president of innovation at Bell, said.
‘The APT is designed to be capable of various mission sets, from package delivery to critical medical transport to disaster relief. We believe this capability will change the way unmanned aerial systems are used commercially in the future.’
Through the NASA Systems Integration and Operationalization demonstration programme, Bell will use the APT 70 to demonstrate a simulated commercial mission in the national airspace and conduct beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights, and this demonstration is expected to take place in mid-2020.
Bell is also collaborating with Yamato, a Japanese third-party logistics provider, to integrate the latter’s package handling system into the APT 70.
Bell and Yamato conducted a test in August demonstrating how their respective systems work together, in preparation for entry to service that is anticipated for the early 2020s.
You may also like
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
