Transformer (flying car)
Encyclopedia
The Transformer or TX is a 5-year, 3-phase flying car effort coordinated by DARPA for the United States Military.
The objective of the Transformer (TX) program is to demonstrate a four person vehicle that provides enhanced logistics and mobility though hybrid flyable/roadable capabilities. This presents unprecedented capability to avoid traditional and asymmetrical threats while avoiding road obstructions. TX will enable enhanced company operations of future missions with applicable use in strike and raid, intervention, interdiction, insurgency/counterinsurgency, reconnaissance, medical evacuation and logistical supply. The TX vehicle will have Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capability with a minimum combat range of 250 nautical mile
s on a single tank of fuel.
The primary focus of the TX program will be the development and demonstration of an integrated suite of critical technologies that enable dual-mode transportation, VTOL capability, efficient flight performance, and a combat range comparable to present day rotorcraft. It is envisioned that this program will, at a minimum, demonstrate the ability to build a ground vehicle that is capable of configuring into a VTOL air vehicle that provides sufficient flight performance and range, while carrying a payload that is representative of four troops with gear. Key performance parameters have been specified to show specific operational utility. The program will be divided into two separate tasks. Task A will develop and integrate a full vehicle and Task B will develop individual critical technologies components for the full vehicle.
DARPA expects the Transformer to cost $203,000.
, special forces
and National Guard have stated an interest in the vehicle. Marines may use the Transformer as a tool for the Enhanced Company Operations concept.
The Marines would use the vehicle for amphibious assault and potentially eliminate the need for amphibious vehicle
s which are vulnerable to shore defenses and limited by their low speeds. Special ops would like to send vehicles unmanned to resupply special operators and then allow them to use that vehicle.
Its VTOL capability gives it the ability to avoid threats and obstacles. The TX is required to have a range of 250 nmi (463 km) on a single tank of fuel which may be attained through flight, land, or a combination of both.
Offensive capabilities
Countermeasures
The vehicle is to be lightly armored, required only to handle small arms fire. Its VTOL capability gives it the ability to avoid threats.
DARPA was at first not interested in traditional rotary-wing aircraft, but shrouded rotor concepts might be considered.
Phase I
The first phase consists of trade studies to evaluate future technologies as well as conceptual design of both a prototype and a production vehicle.
No more than 2 contracts were to be awarded in the $65m Phase I. In September however only AAI
's proposal was selected, for $3m. This proposal builds on the CarterCopter
slowed rotor technology, and incorporates deployable surfaces technology from Terrafugia
. The United States Army Research Laboratory (Vehicle Technology Directorate) was contracted to conduct rotor analysis. Other partners are Bell Helicopter and Textron Marine & Land Systems, sister companies of AAI and subsidiaries of Textron
. Lockheed Martin
, Piasecki Aircraft
, Ricardo Inc., Carnegie Mellon University
, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
, Aurora Flight Sciences
, ThinGap, Terrafugia
and Metis Design are also connected to the project.
In October 2010, Lockheed Martin
and its partners were also connected to Phase 1 of the program.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has received a $1m contract to develop a diesel engine
called Enduro Core to power the Transformer.
Phase II - Design
In 2011, AAI and LM were chosen to proceed with Phase II of the project.
The 7,500lb AAI vehicle is proposed to be equipped with a 1,200 shp Honeywell
HTS900 turboshaft engine to power 4 electric wheel motors or the 56 inch ducted fan, and spin up the 50 foot rotor. Ground speed is up to 80mph; flight speed range is 50-155kt; maximum altitude is 10,000ft.
The 7,000lb LM vehicle has two turboshaft engines in a 41ft wing with tilting 8.5ft ducted fans, giving a flight speed of 130kts, while a Pratt & Whitney EnduroCore heavy-fuel rotary engine powers the four electric wheel motors for ground motion.
Preliminary design reviews for Phase 2 may occur at late fiscal 2012, and DARPA may then choose a team to proceed to Phase 3.
Phase III - Manufacture of the prototype.
The winning team will produce a Prototype Vehicle (PV) with limited features, ready to fly in 2015. DARPA aims for a full-featured Field Vehicle (FV) to cost around $1 million, compared to $400,000 for a Humvee and $4 million for a light helicopter.
as it is a work of the United States Army.
The objective of the Transformer (TX) program is to demonstrate a four person vehicle that provides enhanced logistics and mobility though hybrid flyable/roadable capabilities. This presents unprecedented capability to avoid traditional and asymmetrical threats while avoiding road obstructions. TX will enable enhanced company operations of future missions with applicable use in strike and raid, intervention, interdiction, insurgency/counterinsurgency, reconnaissance, medical evacuation and logistical supply. The TX vehicle will have Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capability with a minimum combat range of 250 nautical mile
Nautical mile
The nautical mile is a unit of length that is about one minute of arc of latitude along any meridian, but is approximately one minute of arc of longitude only at the equator...
s on a single tank of fuel.
The primary focus of the TX program will be the development and demonstration of an integrated suite of critical technologies that enable dual-mode transportation, VTOL capability, efficient flight performance, and a combat range comparable to present day rotorcraft. It is envisioned that this program will, at a minimum, demonstrate the ability to build a ground vehicle that is capable of configuring into a VTOL air vehicle that provides sufficient flight performance and range, while carrying a payload that is representative of four troops with gear. Key performance parameters have been specified to show specific operational utility. The program will be divided into two separate tasks. Task A will develop and integrate a full vehicle and Task B will develop individual critical technologies components for the full vehicle.
DARPA expects the Transformer to cost $203,000.
Function
The Marines, Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, special forces
United States Special Operations Forces
United States Special Operations Forces under United States Special Operations Command are active and reserve component forces of U.S. Military...
and National Guard have stated an interest in the vehicle. Marines may use the Transformer as a tool for the Enhanced Company Operations concept.
The Marines would use the vehicle for amphibious assault and potentially eliminate the need for amphibious vehicle
Amphibious vehicle
An amphibious vehicle , is a vehicle or craft, that is a means of transport, viable on land as well as on water – just like an amphibian....
s which are vulnerable to shore defenses and limited by their low speeds. Special ops would like to send vehicles unmanned to resupply special operators and then allow them to use that vehicle.
Design
MobilityIts VTOL capability gives it the ability to avoid threats and obstacles. The TX is required to have a range of 250 nmi (463 km) on a single tank of fuel which may be attained through flight, land, or a combination of both.
Offensive capabilities
Countermeasures
The vehicle is to be lightly armored, required only to handle small arms fire. Its VTOL capability gives it the ability to avoid threats.
Development
ConceptionDARPA was at first not interested in traditional rotary-wing aircraft, but shrouded rotor concepts might be considered.
Phase I
The first phase consists of trade studies to evaluate future technologies as well as conceptual design of both a prototype and a production vehicle.
No more than 2 contracts were to be awarded in the $65m Phase I. In September however only AAI
AAI Corporation
AAI Corporation is an aerospace and defense development and manufacturing firm in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. It is formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation, AAI was acquired by Textron in 2007 and currently is an operating unit of Textron Systems Corporation...
's proposal was selected, for $3m. This proposal builds on the CarterCopter
Carter Aviation Technologies
Carter Aviation Technologies is a privately held aviation research and development company based in Wichita Falls, Texas, United States....
slowed rotor technology, and incorporates deployable surfaces technology from Terrafugia
Terrafugia
Terrafugia is a small, privately held American corporation that is developing a roadable aircraft dubbed the Transition. Their General Aviation , Light-Sport Aircraft is designed to fold its wings, enabling the vehicle to also operate as a street-legal road vehicle, and is scheduled for...
. The United States Army Research Laboratory (Vehicle Technology Directorate) was contracted to conduct rotor analysis. Other partners are Bell Helicopter and Textron Marine & Land Systems, sister companies of AAI and subsidiaries of Textron
Textron
Textron is a conglomerate that includes Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Greenlee, among others. It was founded by Royal Little in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company, and is headquartered at the Textron Tower in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.With total revenues of...
. Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
, Piasecki Aircraft
Piasecki Aircraft
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation was founded by American vertical flight pioneer, the late Frank Piasecki, to continue pursuing the development of compound helicopters and other advanced rotorcraft.-History:...
, Ricardo Inc., Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United States company that designs and produces rocket engines that use liquid propellants. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, headquartered in Canoga Park, California, is a division of Pratt & Whitney, itself a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation...
, Aurora Flight Sciences
Aurora Flight Sciences
Aurora Flight Sciences specializes in the design and construction of unmanned aircraft. Aurora has been established for 20+ years and their headquarters is at the Manassas Airport in Manassas, VA.-History:...
, ThinGap, Terrafugia
Terrafugia
Terrafugia is a small, privately held American corporation that is developing a roadable aircraft dubbed the Transition. Their General Aviation , Light-Sport Aircraft is designed to fold its wings, enabling the vehicle to also operate as a street-legal road vehicle, and is scheduled for...
and Metis Design are also connected to the project.
In October 2010, Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
and its partners were also connected to Phase 1 of the program.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has received a $1m contract to develop a diesel engine
Aircraft diesel engine
The aircraft diesel engine or aero diesel has not been widely used as an aircraft engine. Diesel engines were used in airships and were tried in aircraft in the late 1920s and 1930s, but never "caught on" in a major fashion...
called Enduro Core to power the Transformer.
Phase II - Design
In 2011, AAI and LM were chosen to proceed with Phase II of the project.
The 7,500lb AAI vehicle is proposed to be equipped with a 1,200 shp Honeywell
Honeywell
Honeywell International, Inc. is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments....
HTS900 turboshaft engine to power 4 electric wheel motors or the 56 inch ducted fan, and spin up the 50 foot rotor. Ground speed is up to 80mph; flight speed range is 50-155kt; maximum altitude is 10,000ft.
The 7,000lb LM vehicle has two turboshaft engines in a 41ft wing with tilting 8.5ft ducted fans, giving a flight speed of 130kts, while a Pratt & Whitney EnduroCore heavy-fuel rotary engine powers the four electric wheel motors for ground motion.
Preliminary design reviews for Phase 2 may occur at late fiscal 2012, and DARPA may then choose a team to proceed to Phase 3.
Phase III - Manufacture of the prototype.
The winning team will produce a Prototype Vehicle (PV) with limited features, ready to fly in 2015. DARPA aims for a full-featured Field Vehicle (FV) to cost around $1 million, compared to $400,000 for a Humvee and $4 million for a light helicopter.
Source
This article incorporates work from https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=9b745d803c1d206f16fd6f64542eadd6&tab=core&tabmode=list&print_preview=1, which is in the public domainPublic domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
as it is a work of the United States Army.