Piasecki’s ARES tilt-duct VTOL aircraft has successfully completed its first flight. It started out as a DARPA project years ago, and has since evolved into an aircraft capable of hauling a variety of interchangeable payload modules weighing up to 3,000 pounds.
During this first flight test, the ARES Flight Module hovered for around 60-seconds before making a controlled descent. A US Army Mobile Multiple Mission Module (M4) was then attached before a second hover test took place to demonstrate how the Flight Module can maintain stability using a fly-by-wire system that is much smaller than one found in traditional aircraft.
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Since its origins as a DARPA conceptual design project, Piasecki has led ARES through years of research and development – design iterations, rigorous component testing, system level validation, and more – to mature the technology leading up to today’s landmark achievement. ARES represents another significant milestone in Piasecki’s 80-year history of bringing innovation to flight,” said John Piasecki, CEO of Piasecki Aircraft.
[Source]
