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MLB V-Bat UAV Specifications

January 2014

Figure 1: V-Bat UAV

MLB has developed a ducted fan tail-sitter VTOL UAV to address the problems of
operating rotorcraft or fixed wing UAVs from restricted areas or ships at sea. The V-Bat
incorporates a ducted fan lift system instead of conventional tail surfaces on a
streamlined airframe to provide VTOL performance with aerodynamic efficiency at high
cruise speeds. The combination of VTOL operational convenience, with the safety of a
shrouded fan and with fixed wing duration, in a small UAV system, will revolutionize the
availability and utility of local situational awareness for UAV operations from confined
areas.
The V-Bat is aerodynamically efficient and mechanically simple, unlike most rotorcraft.
The design concept merges the highly efficient planform of sailplane-like wings and
slender fuselage with a mechanically simple ducted fan lift system that provides control
and lift for vertical flight while simultaneously replacing the aircrafts tail surfaces. The
configuration represents a minimal deviation from proven highly efficient fixed wing
aircraft designs and the dual-use of the ducted fan lift system as the empennage of the
aircraft is the key innovation that makes this performance possible. Ducted fans offer up
to 30% power reduction for a fixed thrust output when compared to exposed rotors of the
same size. There is an additional drag and weight penalty for the duct components, but

the ducts increased thrust and elimination of the tail surfaces minimizes the magnitude
of these factors. The lift to drag ratio (L/D) of an aircraft is a key factor in determining
the range capability of a given design. A typical rotorcraft might achieve an effective L/D
of 6:1 in level flight but the V-Bat can achieve nearly 15:1 L/D, similar to the highest
performing fixed wing UAVs. The V-Bat design can achieve performance similar to the
Boeing Scan Eagle UAV but delivers VTOL capability and does not require a
complicated launch and recovery system.
A key problem with many previous tail-sitter designs has been the high probability of tipover at touchdown which might damage the aircraft especially if it uses exposed rotor
blades. The V-Bat eliminates this problem by being designed to withstand a tip-over
without damage. All of our prototypes, up to 70 lb gross weight, have been designed and
demonstrated the ability to tip-over on landing and not sustain damage. A shock
absorbing nose-skid system takes the loads from tipping over and the duct shields the
rotor and vanes from any damage when contacting the ground. The system has been
extensively field tested. We also have a design for a take-off/landing fixture that
automatically captures and services the aircraft for operations where tip-over landings are
not an option (i.e. some shipboard operations).

Name:
Uses:
Country:
Power:
Dimensions:
Weight:
Speed:
Duration:
Ceiling:
Range:

MLB V-Bat
Shipboard operation, Surveillance, mapping, and monitoring
USA
157cc Gasoline + oil (40:1) 2-stroke engine, heavy fuel engine optional
9.0 x 9 x 2.0 feet
60.0 lb
0 to 90 kts
8.0 hours @ 40 kts loiter
15,000 feet
300 miles (fuel limit)
30 nmile radius live video and data link range limit

Sensors:

TASE 400 stabilized gimbal system or similar

Payload:

8 lb maximum

Launch:
Guidance:

Autonomous vertical take-off , 3x3 m area

MLB flight control system, fully autonomous VTOL operation
Mission plans created with MLB graphical user interface

Recovery:
Operational:

Autonomous vertical landing , 3x3 m area

Winds up to 25 knots, moderate precipitation

Note: Specifications subject to change. V-Bat is expected to enter production in 2015