The US Army has successfully conducted the first flight of the VICTOR drone, a vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft. The system utilizes a hybrid electric propulsion setup where a heavy-fuel rotary engine powers a 400-volt motor-generator to drive the propeller motors.
Researchers from the Army Research Laboratory utilized computational fluid dynamics and 3D metal printing to develop the engine. This manufacturing approach enabled the design of an air-cooled system, eliminating the need for a bulky liquid cooling setup and reducing the overall size of the propulsion unit.
The engine is designed to run on JP8, a kerosene-based heavy fuel. This fuel choice aligns with military efforts to standardize power sources for equipment. The engine operates independently of the propeller motors, allowing it to maintain optimal RPM, similar to hybrid electric vehicle technology.
The VICTOR drone is capable of landing and taking off in challenging terrain without the need for a runway. While the propulsion system may incorporate a battery to allow for flight without the engine running, specific details regarding the battery configuration remain undisclosed by the military.
