Disposable cargo drones tested in the United States. American startup Logistics Gliders conducted the first stage of testing unmanned trucks, which are being developed under contract with DARPA and the US Marine Corps, reports the Internet portal “Nplus1” with reference to Aviation Week.
As the newspaper writes, during the first stage, 12 launches of disposable drones and all were considered successful.
UAV LG-2K, created by Logistics Gliders, made of plywood, has a length 3,9 meters and a folding wing span in 8,3 m. Weight of empty UAV – 181 kg. Cargo disposable drone is capable of carrying cargo weighing up to 725 kg in inner compartment 1,2 cubic meters. Can be optionally equipped with a landing parachute, but at the same time the volume of the cargo compartment is reduced to 1 cube. m.
During the first stage, LG-2K unmanned cargo drones were launched from a helicopter six times, six more – from an SC-7 Skyvan cargo aircraft. In seven cases, the drones were controlled by an operator from the ground., at five – drones flew to the target on their own, offline. Total time, which the devices have carried out in the planning mode, was 54 minutes.
Drones are being developed as part of a tender, announced by the US Marine Corps to create unmanned cargo delivery vehicles ha positions. According to the terms of the competition, the drone being created should cost no more 11 thousand dollars for 1 edïnïcw, and be suitable for use with transport aircraft, and from helicopters and convertiplanes.