Background: Sikorsky's Cypher VTOL UAV made its first tethered flight in April 92 and first free flight the following year. One has been built, originally for the U.S. Army's Maneuver UAV requirement. It has made over 550 flights and participated in nine government demonstrations as of Nov 98. Two variants, Cypher II (aka Dragon Warrior) and Mini-Cypher (3-foot diameter), have been proposed.
Characteristics:
| Length, ft | 1.8 | Diameter, ft | 6.2 (4.0 ft diameter rotor) |
| Gross Weight, lbs | 250 | Payload Weight, lbs | 50 |
| Fuel Capacity, lbs | 75 | Fuel Type | |
| Engine Make | 1xUEL AR-801 | Power, hp | 50 |
| Structure | |||
| Guidance | Navigation | GPS/INS | |
| Data Link(s) | C-band | Data Rate(s) | |
| Endurance, hrs | 2.5 | Radius, nm | 16 |
| Max Speed, kts | 70 | Stall Speed, kts | Hover |
| Altitude, ft | 5,000 | ||
| Takeoff Means | Vertical | ||
| Navigation | Preprogrammed
(points)/ autonomous |
||
| Landing Means | Vertical | ||
Sensor(s): SSC-SD EO/IR