Drones

Vector VTOL drone transforms into Scorpion tricopter

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The drone can be flown as a fixed-wing VTOL, or as a multicopter
Quantum Systems
The drone can be flown as a fixed-wing VTOL, or as a multicopter
Quantum Systems
The drone  could be utilized for border patrol
Quantum Systems
Because the batteries are heated, they keep working at ambient temperatures down to -20 ºC (-4 ºF)
Quantum Systems
The Vector/Scorpion is intended primarily for military use
Quantum Systems
All of the parts can be carried in an included case
Quantum Systems
The drone can fly autonomously or by remote control, with an AES-encrypted mesh IP link transmitting video from a detachable gimbal-mounted nose camera up to a range of over 15 km (9 miles)
Quantum Systems
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While regular multicopter drones are highly stable and maneuverable, their vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) counterparts are faster and more energy-efficient when in forward flight. Germany's Quantum Systems has set out to combine the best of both worlds, with its 2-in-1 Vector/Scorpion drone.

In its Vector configuration, the aircraft has two fixed wings and a tail attached to its glass fiber/Kevlar body. Two propellers on the wings – along with one on the tail – sit horizontally on take-off and landing, allowing the drone to rise and fall like a helicopter. Once it's time to cruise, however, those props rotate down to sit vertically, pulling the Vector forward and allowing the wings to provide lift.

In its Scorpion configuration, the wings and tail are pulled off and replaced with three arms, each one with a hard-mounted horizontal propeller at the end. The drone is then flown like a traditional multicopter – not as fast or efficient in forward flight, but without the added weight of the wings or complexity of the tilting props as it's hovering and darting about.

The Vector/Scorpion is intended primarily for military use
Quantum Systems

When flying forward as the Vector, the aircraft has a top speed of 25 meters per second (90 km/h or 56 mph) and a flight time of up to two hours per charge of its four lithium-ion batteries. As the Scorpion, those figures drop to a top speed of 15 m/s (54 km/h or 34 mph) and a maximum flight time of 45 minutes. Because the batteries are heated, they keep working at ambient temperatures down to -20 ºC (-4 ºF).

In either configuration, the drone can fly autonomously or by remote control, with an AES-encrypted mesh IP link transmitting video from a detachable gimbal-mounted nose camera up to a range of over 15 km (9 miles). That link also allows for real-time remote control over the same distance.

The Vector/Scorpion is intended primarily for military use, with some of its other possible applications including search and rescue, criminal pursuit, border patrol, and traffic investigation.

Source: Quantum Systems

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2 comments
Deres
I am not sure a one-the-field conversion is really necessary, but I am sure it is wise to develop a fuselage that could be used for various configuration of a drone (multicopter, VTOL, CTOL, ...). With the fuselage and its hardware (batteries, computers, ...) also usually comes the data link and the command station.
Tom Swift
Transforms kinda implies it can change mid-flight.....more like it can be field converted into two configurations.