Tests of a reconnaissance complex based on a cyclone are scheduled for 2025

Flight tests of a small-sized demonstrator of an unmanned reconnaissance system based on a cyclo-copter, which in the future will be placed on warships of the Russian Navy, are scheduled for 2025.

In 2020, ARCO®, commissioned by the Foundation for Advanced Research (https://fpi.gov.ru/about/ ), carried out a project to create an enterprise for the production of innovative unmanned and manned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with the development of a feasibility study for its creation and production activities (FPI, Moscow, https://fpi.gov.ru/projects/fiziko-tekhnicheskie-i...).

As part of the Cyclone-2 project, FPI is developing a complex in the interests of the Navy, which will consist of an unmanned Orion-type aircraft and a landing platform based on a cyclone. At the moment, the preliminary technical appearance of the complex has been formed.

The main advantages of this type of vehicle include maneuverability, low noise level, ability to dock on vertical surfaces, and takeoff and landing from/on inclined surfaces. An automatic flight control system has been developed that allows the vehicle to perform course turns, horizontal flight, glide flight, hovering with pitch up to 45°, as well as vertical takeoff and landing from both horizontal and inclined surfaces.

The world's first flight test of a cyclic propulsion aircraft with a hybrid propulsion system and payload in fully automatic mode was performed.

In 2021, the Cyclone project started work on the development of an aeromobile with cyclic propulsion system "Cyclocar". The specified design payload of the vehicle is 500 kg. The aircraft was designed, its 1.5 m diameter propulsor was tested in a wind tunnel. Works on the production and flight tests of Cyclocar will be continued within the framework of the Foundation's project "Cyclone-2".

"The standard shipboard helipad for the Ka-27 will house a cyclolet platform on which an airplane-type drone will stand. Since the drone needs a run-up to take off, the role of the 'airfield' will be played by the cyclolet: it takes off, accelerates, and at breakaway speed at the right position the drone takes off from the platform. During landing, the platform will also do everything for the drone: it will fly under the drone, equalize speeds, take the necessary angle of attack, pick up the drone, and land on the ship." - Yan Chibisov, Head of the FPI Project Group.