FRONTLINE AEROSPACE INVITED TO SHOWCASE V-STAR™ DESIGN
Broomfield, CO – Frontline Aerospace, Inc., has accepted an invitation to present V-STAR™ technology to the American Helicopter Society (AHS) at the International Specialist's Meeting on Unmanned Rotorcraft Systems to be held in January 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.
"V-STAR™ is advancing state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) – from wing-morphing to breakthrough improvements in specific fuel consumption," said Frontline Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ryan Wood.
"In practical terms V-STAR™ puts leading-edge insights at the front lines of our nation's defense," said Frontline advisory board member Lt. Gen. (USAF, retired) Timothy Kinnan, recent honoree as Outstanding Aerospace Engineer from Purdue University, former vice president of Lockheed Martin and now President of Wallace Lighthouse Consulting.
"Sometimes the big companies get it right," said Kinnan, "but other times we see a visionary startup like Frontline Aerospace that finds a way to assemble exciting new technologies in a novel aircraft configuration that makes a leap ahead of the big corporations."
Broomfield, CO – Frontline Aerospace, Inc., announced a breakthrough aircraft configuration code-named V-STAR ™ – an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – and associated MicroFire ™ gas turbine fuel-efficiency technology.
"Our VTOL-Swift Tactical Aerial Resource ™ – or V-STAR ™ – is the 'HUMVEE of the air' and provides a breakthrough solution for frontline military logistics and related Multi-Role Endurance (MRE) missions," said Frontline founder and Chief Executive Officer Ryan S. Wood.
“With payload at the center-of-gravity, V-STAR ™ provides real mission flexibility,” he said, “since it can carry ISTAR (intelligence/surveillance/target acquisition/reconnaissance) packages or weapons – then morph back into its primary role providing frontline combat logistics.”
The modular payload approach allows for rapid change-out in the field – one minute providing troops with ammo, food, water and fuel – and the next minute providing tactical reconnaissance, communications and close combat support.
Manufacturer hopes to fly half-scale 'delivery truck' UAV in 2009 Damian Kemp, Jane's Aviation Desk Editor San Diego, California June 13, 2008
US private venture company Frontline Aerospace plans to fly a half-scale version of a new logistics and utility vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in 2009. Speaking at the Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) 2008 conference in San Diego on 10 June, Frontline's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ryan Wood said the VTOL-Swift Tactical Aerial Resource (V-STAR) UAV was a "delivery truck, a Humvee [HMMWV - high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle] of the air".
V-STAR Tactical UAV - Engineering TV The V-STAR unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) offers next-generation solutions for frontline military logistics and related multi-role endurance missoins. Providing commanders with a VTOL-Swift Tactical Aerial Resource – V-STAR provides vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), transitioning to fixed-wing flight and able to reach mission areas up to three times faster than helicopters. Dubbed the "HUMVEE of the air," the vehicle's unique modular payload allows for rapid change out in the field – one minute providing troops with ammo, food, water and fuel – and the next minute providing tactical reconnaissance, communications and close combat support.
All helicopter engines, such as the proven powerplants used in V-STAR, require increasingly precious fuel. Frontline's patent-pending MicroFire gas turbine recuperator changes the game. MicroFire uses advanced materials and heat exchanger innovations to dramatically increase fuel-efficiency and reduce carbon emissions for the proven Rolls-Royce Series 250 engine family. Originally developed to enhance V-STAR, the MicroFire recuperator can achieve as much as 40% increase in thermal efficiency and can upgrade Rolls-Royce Series 250 engines worldwide to achieve the first true "green" helicopter.
Frontline Aerospace, Inc., unveiled at AUVSI 2008 a new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft configuration called V-STAR. The company is implementing this design concept in a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, associated with the MicroFire gas turbine fuel-efficiency technology also developed by the company. ... The system is extracting heat from the engine through counter-flow heat recuperator, transferring heat from the exhaust air back to the compressed engine air before combustion. Such implementations could double the overall thermal efficiency of the engine. The 50 pound MicroFire system is designed for improved durability and reliability of such system at low specific weight, improving fuel consumption as much as 40% with low pressure drop and low power loss.
"Flying HUMVEE" Designed to Autonomously Deliver Supplies Unmanned aircraft can hover, land like a helicopter
It's expected to have the functionality of a helicopter but be much faster, making Frontline Aerospace's "flying Humvee" the next wave of unmanned aircraft. "It's very quick and quiet," said Ryan Wood, Frontline Aerospace Inc.'s chief executive. The private Broomfield-based company was formed in September 2007 and is in the midst of producing its VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) Swift Tactical Aerial Resource in addition to working on its other major product, the MicroFire. Dubbed the V-STAR, or flying Humvee, the tactical resource uses Frontline's MicroFire technology to increase its fuel efficiency by mixing hot exhaust air with compressed air before combustion. By doing that, the engine requires less fuel to heat the cooler, fresh air before it's fired. ... Though still in the design phase, the "flying Humvee," as Wood calls it, is primarily designed to carry supplies to combat troops in war zones, though it could be used for humanitarian missions, such as carrying construction material through mountainous areas without roads.
What's New in UAVs: Better Engines, Morphed Wings June 2008
At the AUVSI unmanned systems show earlier this week, it was interesting to note all the interest in engine technology for UAVs. ... Another interesting development came from Frontline Aerospace, Inc. with its V-Star UAV. The V-Star employs morphing wing technology in the form of extensions at the end of its wings that flip up to handle slow flight conditions. So far the craft is only a concept, and there is some pooh-poohing about it from the aviation press because the company is a start-up. But there is a 50% scale demonstrator under construction that should be ready next year.
Half-Scale VSTAR Could Fly Next Year Design Intended to Resupply Troops on Battlefield June 23, 2008
A half-scale demonstrator of a ducted fan vertical take-off and landing unmanned air vehicle called the VTOL Swift Tactical Aerial Resource (VSTAR) could be flying next year, according to its developer. Using two Rolls-Royce Model 250 series II C20B turboshaft engines, a diamond box wing and a ducted pusher propeller, the full-size VSTAR could cruise at 15,000ft (4,500m) and 288kt (155 km/h) and have a range of 1,045km (565nm), says Colorado-based Frontline Aerospace. The design is intended to resupply troops on the battlefield with ammunition, water and food, with a maximum payload of 180kg (400lb).
VTOL Battlefield Resupply UAV Could Fly by 2009 June 16, 2008
A half-scale demonstrator of a ducted fan vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned air vehicle (UAV) called the VTOL Swift Tactical Aerial Resource (VSTAR) could be flying next year. The developer, Frontline Aerospace, says the aircraft "is intended to resupply troops on the battlefield with ammunition, water and food, with a maximum payload of 180kg."
'Flying Humvee' Robot ships supplies to military troops V-STAR can execute vertical take-offs and landings, and is quieter than a helicopter June 18, 2008
Dubbed a flying Humvee by Ryan Wood, CEO of Broomfield Colo.-based Frontline Aerospace, the robotic vehicle can fly 600 to 1,000 miles carrying a full cargo of 400 pounds. Code named V-STAR, the autonomous aircraft, which can execute vertical take-offs and landings, is about the size of a large SUV, weighing in at 2,400 pounds and measuring 21 feet long and up to 26 feet wide. Wood says he foresees a soldier hunkered down in a military hot zone in need of ammunition or fuel. Instead of calling for a manned force to move the supplies to him, he opens his laptop and punches in his request. The V-Star then is loaded up and flies the supplies in without risking other lives or jamming up needed troops.
Frontline Aerospace debuts 'HUMVEE of the Air' June 11, 2008
Frontline Aerospace of Broomfiled, Colo., says they've designed a flexible unmanned aerial system capable of efficiences not possible just several years ago. Only slightly bulkier than the classive Volkswagen Beetle at 21 feet long, the V-STAR (Vertical, Swift Tactical Aerial Resource) could serve as a mid-sized utility vehicle for the military: what the company dubbed a 'Humvee for the air." Now in the third generation of its design, the vehicle uses new materials and heat-exchanger technology to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, a process called recuperation, company President and CEO Ryan Wood said Tuesday.
Frontline Aerospace rolls out 'Humvee of the sky' unmanned aerial vehicle June 2008
Frontline Aerospace calls its V-STAR (which stands for Vertical-Takeoff-and-Landing Swift Tactical Aerial Resource) the "Humvee of the air," but not because it can ferry soldiers around like one of the big jeeps. It's a versatile unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of filling a variety of roles depending on how it's loaded. With weaponry, for instance, it could provide close-range fire support for soldiers, and be able to engage enemies behind cover given its height advantage. It could also be fitted to bring units ammunition, or provide logistical support to help uncover enemy positions. Calling it an "aerial Humvee" may make you think it's sluggish, but it's far from it: the V-STAR can fly up to an altitude of 15,000 feet, and it can carry a 400-pound load over a range of 650 miles while cruising at 330 mph.
News
