Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Boeing uses Subaru engine in unmanned rotorcraft


swc7916
 Share

Recommended Posts

The following article was in the Boeing News this morning:

 

 

Boeing A160 Hummingbird completes flight test

 

 

By Doug Kinneard Ship 4 of the Boeing A160 Hummingbird unmanned rotorcraft program made its first test flight Wednesday from an airfield near Victorville, Calif., as Boeing continues to demonstrate the unprecedented range, endurance, payload and altitude capabilities of this unmanned air vehicle.

 

"This flight – the first with a six-cylinder Subaru engine – is an important step toward concept demonstration of this innovative UAV to offer unprecedented capabilities in the history of helicopters," said Gary Gallagher, A160 program manager for Boeing Phantom Works.

 

"It's gratifying to resume flight testing, as the A160 team does a great job with this new technology," Gallagher continued. "This aircraft can change all the rules as they apply to UAV vertical takeoff and landing operations."

 

The new A160 successfully flew for about 30 minutes in the vicinity of the airfield, bringing the total number of A160 test flights to 32 and the total number of flight hours to 58.

 

The objectives of the test included opening the A160's flight envelope for the latest vehicle configuration – previous aircraft used four-cylinder Subaru engines. Engineers are currently analyzing the flight data in preparation for the next series of test flights.

 

The Hummingbird features a unique optimum speed rotor technology that significantly improves overall performance efficiency by adjusting the RPM of the rotor system at different altitudes, gross weights and cruise speeds. It is designed to fly autonomously, for much longer periods of time (in excess of 24 hours), over greater distances (2,500-plus nautical miles/4,630-plus kilometers), at higher altitudes (up to 30,000 feet/9,144 meters) and much more quietly than current helicopters.

 

The A160 could provide reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, communication relay and precision re-supply. The A160 Hummingbird is being developed and tested by Phantom Works under contract with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Phantom Works currently is under contract for eight A160 UAVs for DARPA and 10 for Naval Air Systems Command.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys -- this is sweet set up. The Boeing Phantom Works division that engineers this craft is based in Irvine, CA. While I wasn't an aerospace engineer for this craft, I WAS the environmental engineer on this project. They perform test flights up in Victorville, CA at the former AFB up there. This engine is minimum single turbo, and I know they used a twin turbo version at some point! Can you imagine??!?!?!

Go Boeing! Better yet, Go Subaru!!!

 

 

 

i bet its the 30 .since it has timing chains and not a belt
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...