THE VTOL DRONE THAT TRANSFORMS FROM A MULTI-COPTER TO A VTOL FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT
The VARIDRONE V3 is the ONLY drone that completely transforms from a multi-copter to a VTOL fixed-wing drone. With a unique, innovative design conceived and developed in the United States, the VARIDRONE V3 is the world’s first unmanned aerial system (UAS) suitable for industrial and military use capable of performing efficiently and exclusively as either a multi-copter or a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. (Patent Pending. International Patent Publication Number WO 2018/081734 A1)
With the VARIDRONE V3 it’s no longer necessary to purchase and maintain both a multi-copter for projects and missions that require extended time hovering AND an airplane-type drone for large area coverage and long distance flying. The VARIDRONE V3 is the only modular, light-weight, industrial, military drone that can do it all safer, faster, smarter!
Install the modular wing system and the VARIDRONE V3 becomes a VTOL fixed-wing drone with all the flight attributes of a multi-copter, such as take off and land vertically and hover in place, but with the added capability of long-range flights for large area coverage.
Without the wing system attached, the VARIDRONE V3 is a multi-copter and ONLY a multi-copter… no need to carry the extra weight of wings when the task doesn’t require them.
In either configuration, the VARIDRONE V3 offers all the bells and whistles commonly expected of a commercial or military drone – auto-takeoff and land, pre-programmed flight paths and complex missions, object avoidance, ‘follow me’, geo-fence and return to home, to name a few.
The VARIDRONE V3 perfectly melds a stand-alone multi-copter with a long-range fixed-wing drone, resulting in added versatility, portability and economy. Plus, there is an appreciable increase in safety, in that the propellers can always be shielded by either the ‘wrap-around’ wing system when in VTOL fixed-wing mode, or by employing the optional propeller guard when in multi-copter mode.
The VARIDRONE V3 is engineered to carry a useful payload – LiDAR, pipeline leak detectors and/or industrial/military grade HD, IR and UV cameras, for example. The exceptionally functional design permits attachment of sensors and/or cameras on top and/or bottom of the central hub when operating the VARIDRONE V3 as a multicopter, and/or under the nose area of the forewing when operating as a VTOL fixed-wing.
With such versatility, obvious applications for the VARIDRONE V3 include reconnaissance missions, pipeline and electric transmission corridor and facilities inspection and monitoring, large area and route surveys, border control, search and rescue, geo, marine and archaeology surveys, dam and shoreline inspections, surface mine volumetric surveys… and more.
The VARIDRONE V3, an innovative, game changer engineered to be the ‘go to’ industrial, military capable drone!
Why it works:
The VARIDRONE V3 uses a joined wing (aka box wing) planform to create a detachable, wrap-around wing structure. This configuration permits the placement of a likewise detachable multi-copter power and control system collocated at the wing structure’s center of gravity. Being light-weight, incredibly strong and aerodynamically efficient, the joined wing/box wing planform affords the requisite wing area at approximately half the wingspan typically required. This, in conjunction with the highly efficient power system utilized by the multi-copter core, serves to form a unique, versatile, unmanned aerial system that can be either a stand-alone multi-copter or a VTOL fixed-wing drone.
How it works:
Employing a gear-driven, rotatable, aft power system activated with the flick of a switch when manually flying or automatically in pre-programmed missions, the aircraft can operate as a pusher plane, a multi-copter, or a VTOL fixed-wing drone. When in sustained forward flight, operating as a pusher plane, all but one of the electric motors turn off, the aft motor becoming the sole source of thrust and, likewise, the primary power drain on the battery, thereby conserving energy to greatly extend flight time.
Where it works:
Constructed of durable, light-weight composite materials including Kevlar and carbon fiber, incorporating state-of-the-art industrial-quality components throughout, and engineered to exacting specifications to provide maximum aerodynamic and mechanical efficiency and reliability, the VARIDRONE V3 is designed for extended operations in extreme environments.
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The VARIDRONE V3 is currently available in two size options, dubbed the V3M – useful load as a VTOL fixed-wing, approx. 3.5 pounds; and V3L – useful load as a VTOL fixed-wing, approx. 10 pounds. (Details below.) But, it doesn’t stop there. Due to the perfect balance of the fixed-wing system’s planform and the multi-copter’s centralized location, the design is scalable upward and downward. Need more payload capacity? Simply scale upwards to the values needed. We’ll soon be posting a chart that will show how the wing span, weight, endurance, payload capacity, etc. adjust with scale.
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| VARIDRONE V3 Modular Drone Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| VARIDRONE V3M | VARIDRONE V3L | |
| Wingspan – airfoil attached | 57.3” (1.45m) | 96” (2.4m) |
| Diameter – prop guard attached | 35.65” (0.9m) | 54.25” (1.52m) |
| Front to Rear Span – airfoil attached | 41.5” (1.05m) | 66" (1.69m) |
| Ground Clearance (Distance from ground to bottom of aircraft) | 15.25” (0.39m) | 15.25” (0.39m) |
| Height – airfoil attached, landing gear down | 28.25” (0.72m) | 33.25” (0.84m) |
| Height – airfoil attached, landing gear up | 14.25” (0.36m) | 18” (0.46m) |
| Number of power units | 6 | 6 |
| Power Configuration | Y6 | Y6 |
| Prop Size | 15.5” (394mm) | 18.5” (470mm) |
| Empty Weight – no battery, no prop guard, no airfoil | 11.75 lb. (5.33kg) | 13.7 lb. (6.2kg) |
| Battery weight | 7.43 lb. (3.37kg) | 7.43 lb. (3.37kg) |
| Prop guard weight | 2.45 lb. (1.1kg) | 2.45 lb. (1.1kg) |
| Airfoil system weight | 4.21 lb. (1.91kg) | 6.4 lb. (2.9kg) |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 27 lb. (12.2kg)* | 33.3 lb. (15.1kg)* |
| Maximum payload - multicopter, no prop guard | 7.82 lb. (3.55kg)* | 12.17 lb. (5.52kg)" |
| Maximum payload - VTOL fixed-wing | 3.61 lb. (1.64kg)* | 5.77 lb. (2.62kg)" |
| Maximum Speed - VTOL fixed-wing | 77mph (124km/h)* | 68mph (109km/h)* |
| Cruise Speed (45% throttle) - VTOL fixed-wing | 45mph (72km/h)* | 50mph (80km/h)* |
| Stall speed - VTOL fixed-wing | 31mph (50km/h)* | 37mph (60km/h)* |
| Maximum flight time – VTOL fixed-wing (3% hovering, 97% cruising), max payload | 1hr, 24min* | 1hr, 31min* |
| Manual flight control range | Unlimited if using optional 4G/LTE mobile network connection control system** Approx. 1.5 miles (2.4 km) with conventional radio control*** | Unlimited if using optional 4G/LTE mobile network connection control system** Approx. 1.5 miles (2.4 km) with conventional radio control*** |
| *Some values noted are based on calculations using standard parameters and/or optimal conditions and may change upon completion of field tests currently underway. ** Requires reliable 4G LTE (minimum 3G) wireless telephone data service. ***Range based on optimal conditions. Actual range may be more or less depending on atmospheric conditions, terrain, obstructions, etc. |
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For more details or information on purchasing a VARIDRONE V3, or investing, partnering or licensing opportunities, please use the form below to send us message.