Discovery Coax-H

RPAS DISCOVERY Coax-H, is a contra-rotating coaxial two rotor head RWUAV VTOL Helicopter airframe and autopilot system. The system has been developed around an operational airframe from Aero Technic. Developed and flying originally in 2008 it featured complex mechanical linkages for control of rotor blade pitch and yaw... but has now been developed as a less complex system which is easy to setup, operate, and maintain after removal of the many mechanical linkages involved. The most difficult of controls to setup and balance was the 'differential pitch' yaw control, which is now replaced by a mechanically simple and easily controlled thrust system, that requires no special setup.

Flight control servos and SAS [Stability Augmentation System] electronics make for a less complex helicopter system... and as a contra-rotating coaxial system, with two rotor heads with two blades only, it is more efficient and compact than the normal helicopter configuration. The airframe platform is easily stored in a robust flight box, and ready for quick launch.

A number of benefits arise from a coaxial design... including increased payload for the same motor power. A tail rotor typically wastes some of the available motor power that can be fully devoted to lift and thrust with a coaxial design. The operation of the two contra-rotating Coaxial rotors give benefit also to faster forward speed than for a similar sized Single rotor or Flettner rotor system. Other operational benefits also exist.

In normal setup, a helicopter of this size would have a long tail boom with a bladed tail rotor, and a single rotor head operating in clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation. With a natural tendancy for torque to turn the main airframe the long boom and exposed tail rotor is required to maintain stable hover and yaw control. There is also a natural tendency for the helicopter to roll either to left or right on take off. The tail boom is also usually the first thing that gets damaged during landing, with many incidents of this size of RWUAV losing tail blades (and boom damage) due to ground strike or long grass or uneven ground in landing areas. The Coax-H system therefore is better technically equipped to land on moving platforms, such as a boat deck, where the instability may lead to damaging tail impact to standard configuration helicopters.

Airframe platforms are designed and engineered to high standards, utilising quality components and aerospace materials, with in-house production control for specialist machining and composites. RPAS Aerospace platforms are not modified models.

Flight performance and operational capability is developed to provide reliable operation for security and surveillance in a number of areas. Designed to carry EO/IR systems as part of a standardised package, although other sensor payloads can be incorporated, or added, to the greater payload capability of RPAS DISCOVERY Coax-H helicopter flight platforms.

Designed for ease of Operation and Maintenance, with a range of flight modes... which include waypoint mission planning with inflight mission plan change capability. Easy 'in the field' regular maintenance does not require specialist engineering staff.

The airframe is robust and capable of operating in adverse conditions (unlike most multi-rotor systems), yet still lightweight enough to provide exceptional endurance with a realistic payload lift. Final configuration to Customer Requirement, and dependant on expected or regular mission requirement.

The airframe platform and systems can be developed within operational capabilities to also allow for night missions for surveillance and urban operation.

Engineering of systems and materials is derived from our high-end motorsport engineering background, which also gave us the discipline and expertise to run flight data logging and analysis of a range of variables during the development process.

We have more than 18 years experience in operating and developing autonomous RWUAV VTOL flight systems and airframes, with full stability systems for UAV Helicopters with GPS flight control... along with over 11 years linked to development of flying for ISR, Covert, and potential Urban use. RWUAV system development includes BVLOS flight range in excess of 20 kilometre.

RPAS Aerospace: VTOL [helicopter] specialists

Ongoing development to client requirement, developed in 2015 as a proof of concept. Now developed to full production capability.

RPAS DISCOVERY Coax-H Electric specification PDF link HERE [Flight Comms & Data. Stated specs may not be current system specs]

NEW: COAX-H now developed with 2-stage turbine system will be added July 2019