Aircraft

Cormorant UAV performs a mini-demo-mission

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A ground crew loads a mannequin onto the Cormorant
Tactical Robotics
Although a human crew was responsible for off-loading the cargo and putting the mannequin on board, the Cormorant itself performed the whole exercise in autonomous mode
Tactical Robotics
On May 7th at the Megiddo Airfield in Northern Israel, the Cormorant was used to perform a "mission representative" demonstration for members of the Israel Defense Forces
Tactical Robotics
A ground crew loads a mannequin onto the Cormorant
Tactical Robotics
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When we last heard about the Cormorant UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), it had made its first untethered autonomous flight. Now, the VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft has performed a small-scale mission for prospective buyers.

Designed by Israeli firm Tactical Robotics, the Cormorant is designed to fly either autonomously or by remote control, delivering troops, civilian passengers or other cargo within tight quarters where helicopters with exposed rotor blades just can't go. Vertical lift is provided by internal rotor blades contained within its body, while horizontal thrust comes from two shrouded rear propellers.

On May 7th at the Megiddo Airfield in Northern Israel, it was used to perform a "mission representative" demonstration for members of the Israel Defense Forces, which is currently the lead customer for the aircraft.

On May 7th at the Megiddo Airfield in Northern Israel, the Cormorant was used to perform a "mission representative" demonstration for members of the Israel Defense Forces
Tactical Robotics

The demo consisted of having the Cormorant take off with a load of cargo, follow a predetermined flight path to a specified point of delivery, drop off that cargo and have it replaced with a medical training mannequin simulating a casualty, and then fly back to its point of origin. On the way back, an onboard system allowed for two-way video communication between a team on the ground and the "patient."

Although a human crew was responsible for off-loading the cargo and putting the mannequin on board, the Cormorant itself performed the whole exercise in autonomous mode. According to the company, the aircraft is currently "the only UAS [Unmanned Aerial System] recognized by NATO to fulfill both cargo delivery and CasEvac [Casualty Evacuation] missions."

Source: Tactical Robotics

View gallery - 3 images
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4 comments
guzmanchinky
Well, it's ugly, but very cool. I really think someday soon the idea of a normal helicopter with it's incredibly complex control systems and counter intuitive emergency flight procedures and delicate tail rotors and inability to fit a BRS will be a thing of the past...
Buellrider
I hope that when a real person is put on that thing, that they will put ear plugs in the casualty's ears so they get to the destination with their hearing intact.
David F
Nifty vehicle. But why does a drone with shrouded blades sound like yet another flying vuvuzela?
AngryPenguin
@DFrancis
That's just how ducted fans sound.