VTOL Solution for the UAS Industry

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Swift Engineering, Inc. , the San Clemente firm that develops UAS systems and technology, will be showcasing their solutions at the AUVSI Xponential show in Dallas. The Swift 020, the first UAS featuring their X-Blade Technology, will be on display. It is the result of over 13 years of research and development in UAS. The Swift020 is a VTOL drone that takes off and lands anywhere like a quad-rotor and transitions to efficient fixed-wing forward flight without additional launch and recovery equipment allowing it to vastly reduce operational time and cost. The Swift020 Unmanned Air System is a family of systems servicing Linear Infrastructure, Oil and Gas, Maritime, Emergency Services, Delivery, Agriculture, Scientific Research, Surveillance and Military/Defense markets.

X-Blade Technology is Swift’s technology and expertise of maximizing the benefits of VTOL with the efficiencies of fixed wing flight. It is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) transition to horizontal flight technology that does not use rotating mechanisms. All the control is conducted with in the flight control autopilot system. The X-Blade Technology used in the Swift 020 Unmanned Air System can be scaled to larger and different configuration platforms.

“We designed the Swift020 with the market solution in mind.” said Rick Heise, President and CSO, “The innovation of the Swift020 is in the elegance and efficiency of the design, with less moving parts, optimized aerodynamics, and capable payload options. These all provide cost effective solutions for our customers that reduces footprint and extends range.”

Swift Engineering is a 30 year old product development company with experience designing and building high performance vehicles, specializing in unmanned systems, autonomy, robotics, and advanced composites. Founded in 1983, Swift has produced over 500 vehicles in its 60,000-sq. ft. advanced design and manufacturing facility. In 2000, Swift Engineering diversified in to aerospace vehicles and has worked on space, aerospace, aeronautical, terrestrial and underwater, manned and unmanned, defense and commercial designs and vehicles. In 2001 Swift Engineering started the development of the Swift KillerBee; a runway independent, 4 ft. wingspan, catapult launch and net recovery UAS. By 2009 this vehicle had a 10-ft. wingspan, 15-hour endurance, and can carry a 60-lb. payload. Swift Engineering sold this asset to Northrop Grumman and it was renamed the Northrop Bat.

Here is a video of a Swift020 flight demo:

Swift Engineering, Inc. will be participating in this year’s AUVSI Xponential, held in Dallas, TX this year from May 9-12; Swift will be at space #2925.

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