AFWERX Agility Prime

[Moose]

ARES prototype is unexpectedly back from the dead:

AFWERX Revives Flight Test Program For Piasecki’s ARES | Aviation Week Network

The award by the innovation arm of the Air Force Research Laboratory supports testing of the Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System and a hydrogen fuel cell.

aviationweek.com

 

[yasotay]

Good to see that PiAC is getting something of a revival.

 

[Forest Green]

AFWERX, MTSI Evaluate Electric Vertical Takeoff, Landing Aircraft For Military Applications

Springfield OH (SPX) Aug 02, 2024 - As the sun rose over Springfield-Beckley Airport, Ohio, a quiet hum from an unusual aircraft signaled the start of another day of flight testing. Since mid-June, experts from AFWERX, the Depar

www.spacewar.com

 

[Moose]

View: https://youtu.be/C4d49DxgQoM?si=OyUKPV-F0GT0Oafh

Tilt-Ducted Fan ARES Drone Designed To Carry Modular Payloads Has Finally Lifted Off

ARES, which has been in development for over a decade, could resupply and provide other support to dispersed U.S. forces in future conflicts.

www.twz.com

 

[Moose]

I haven't found an image or video yet but the first untethered flight was supposed to be this morning (9/10/24)

 

[Mark Nankivil]

I haven't found an image or video yet but the first untethered flight was supposed to be this morning (9/10/24)

Looks untethered in the image.... Mark

Piasecki Hovers Ares Tilt-Duct VTOL For First Time | Aviation Week Network

Piasecki Aircraft has conducted the first tethered hover flights of the Ares tilt-duct vertical-takeoff-and-landing demonstrator.

aviationweek.com

 

[TomS]

Looks untethered in the image.... Mark

Piasecki Hovers Ares Tilt-Duct VTOL For First Time | Aviation Week Network

Piasecki Aircraft has conducted the first tethered hover flights of the Ares tilt-duct vertical-takeoff-and-landing demonstrator.

aviationweek.com

I count six tethers attached to the vehicle.

 

[yasotay]

Can't blame them really. Immature control laws can do bad things.

 

[_Del_]

Wasn't sure where to put this since there doesn't seem to be an existing thread, but Piasecki's follow-on to this just completed a tethered hover test.

Piasecki Hovers Ares Tilt-Duct VTOL For First Time | Aviation Week Network

Piasecki Aircraft has conducted the first tethered hover flights of the Ares tilt-duct vertical-takeoff-and-landing demonstrator.

aviationweek.com

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C4d49DxgQoM

 

[Grey Havoc]

From back in December:

AFWERX Says Agility Prime eVTOLs Lack Range, Shifts To Hybrid | Aviation Week Network

AFWERX does not have any specific requirements, a program of record, or impending contracts for hybrid eVTOLs.

aviationweek.com

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