Hummingbird - no crash version launched by Boeing

I wrote about crash testing the Boeing A160 Hummingbird UAV previously. Now Gary Gallagher , program manager,(who took over from Steve Glusman) tells me that on Wednesday they tested the new version with a six cylinder Subaru petrol engine (upgraded from the old 4 cylinder engine on previous models that crashed) at Victorville CA.

The new A160 successfully flew for "about" 30 minutes in the vicinity of the air field, bringing the total number of A160 test flights to 32 and the total number of flight hours to 58 – and this one didn’t crash.

The Hummingbird says Gary features a unique optimum speed rotor technology that significantly improves overall performance efficiency by adjusting the RPM of the rotor system at different altitudes, gross weights and cruise speeds. It is designed to fly autonomously, for long periods of time (24 hours +), over greater distances (2,500+ nautical miles), at higher altitudes (up to 30,000 feet), and much more quietly than current helicopters. Meanwhile they just dawdle around Victorville.Cool.

Gary is excited about the re-engined A160 and says it “could” provide reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, communication relay and precision re-supply. Its unique characteristics (i.e it doesn’t crash …yet), would allow it to effectively address current and emerging requirements of the U.S. armed forces, Department of Homeland Security, and international military and security organizations.

Boeing Phantom Works are developing the A160 Hummingbird under contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Phantom Works currently is under contract for eight A160 UAVs for DARPA and ten for Naval Air Systems Command.

So lots of taxpayers dollars there for an aircraft that hasn’t crashed … yet.

Recent blogs on same topic here