LIFT AIRCRAFT INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF193-CSO1

Description

The objective of this proposal is to conduct and validate a feasibility study of the HexaCrane: a proposed design for an electric vertical take-off and landing multi-rotor UAV. The intended use of the vehicle is the transportation of supplies on and near large USAF bases: short-range (7 miles), 220+ lb. payload transport. The aircraft’s design will be derived from the applicant’s personal aerial vehicle, the Hexa, a one-seater E-VTOL ultralight manned aircraft featuring a modular powertrain system, which will be adapted for this use case. In addition to tailoring the powertrain of the Hexa for heavy-lift cargo carry, we will mock up a dedicated user interface. Specifically, a cargo attachment crane mechanism design will be drafted, as well as light-weight, robust landing gear for the HexaCrane. Design validation and testing will be achieved using our existing powertrain with minor modifications to reflect proposed flight configuration. Cargo will be affixed to a test rig in a similar geometry to the crane mechanism. With advances in brushless motors, batteries, and microprocessors, this technology is within the realm of the possible. We have direct subject matter expertise from our commercial endeavors, and much of the project is de-risked by our prior powertrain development.