Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has successfully demonstrated advanced control laws enabling stable, reliable flight of a 'rotor blown wing' uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in both helicopter and airplane configurations. The innovative twin prop-rotor prototype, weighing 115 pounds (52 kg), is powered entirely by batteries and showcases a unique vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design that leverages rotor downwash over the wings for improved lift during transitional flight.

During recent testing, the prototype validated stable maneuverability across hover, low-speed forward flight, and fully wing-borne cruise modes. Engineers confirmed strong controllability through the entire flight envelope, proving the potential scalability of the system. Sikorsky plans to expand the design to larger UAS platforms utilizing hybrid-electric propulsion, enabling extended range, increased payload capacity, and mission versatility. The rotor-blown wing concept represents a significant advancement in blended helicopter-airplane configurations for future autonomous operations.