{"id":7309,"date":"2014-04-12T02:19:15","date_gmt":"2014-04-12T02:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=7309"},"modified":"2014-05-12T02:25:10","modified_gmt":"2014-05-12T06:25:10","slug":"sci-tech-at-black-knight-transformer-achieves-first-stable-hover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=7309","title":{"rendered":"Sci-Tech: AT Black Knight Transformer achieves first stable hover"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Black Knight TRANSFORMER<\/a>\u00a0is a “transformer” style vehicle from\u00a0Advanced Tactics, Inc.<\/a>\u00a0that combines a roadable truck with a multi-copter suite of rotors to achieve vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and horizontal flight. This week it left the ground and achieved a stable hover:\u00a0The Advanced Tactics Black Knight Transformer Successfully Completes First Flights – Advanced Tactics, Inc.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"fig3-sm\"<\/a>Snapshot from aerial footage of the aircraft in hover filmed by a quadcopter<\/em>
\ndrone. The quadcopter weighed approximately one thousandth of the weight\u00a0<\/em>
\nof the Black Knight Transformer.<\/em><\/p>\n

The vehicle is concept<\/p>\n

was spurred by several things: the growing popularity and acceptance of \u201cmulticopter\u201d aircraft, the military\u2019s need for a low-cost platform for casualty evacuation and cargo resupply missions, and our passion for developing game-changing military and civilian vehicle technology. The aircraft is designed specifically for autonomous casualty evacuation and unmanned cargo resupply missions. Its unmanned capabilities keep pilots out of harm\u2019s way during dangerous missions while a pilot-optional capability allows it to be flown like a conventional helicopter. Advanced Tactics began work on the AT Black Knight Transformer in 2010 with funding from the United States Congress. In 2012, Advanced Tactics began work on the\u00a0AT Panther Transformer<\/a>, a similar vehicle designed specifically for Special Operations missions. It is a low-cost vehicle that carries two passengers and their gear, is transportable in a CV-22 Osprey cargo hold, and is operable with minimal training. Advanced Tactics is also currently developing a modular, cargo carrying aircraft capable of delivering up to 3,500 lb payloads in a detachable cargo pod. The AT Transformer technology is scalable and reconfigurable.<\/em><\/p>\n

More pictures:<\/p>\n

\"fig4-sm\"<\/a>The Black Knight Transformer during its first flight. Notice the attached <\/em>
\nelectrical cable under the aircraft, which provided an emergency <\/em>
\nshutdown capability in case of a malfunction.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"fig6-sm\"<\/a>The Black Knight Transformer is larger than a Ford F350 crew cab truck, <\/em>
\nshown for scale. The engines are stowed against the side of the vehicle<\/em>
\n in driving configuration.[High Resolution]<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

It can be transformed into multiple configurations:<\/p>\n

The AT Transformer design is highly modular for rapid repair and reconfiguration. For instance, each of the propulsion subsystems can be replaced in the field by two people and the mission package can be rapidly reconfigured from casualty evacuation to cargo resupply. Additionally, the modular automobile portion of the vehicle can be removed for additional payload capacity or replaced with a boat hull or an amphibious hull for water operations.<\/em><\/p>\n

Update May.12.14<\/strong>: Here’s a video of their initial test:<\/p>\n