Northrop Grumman is designing a future autonomous vertical lift aircraft with DARPA ANCILLARY. The system is designed to be a low-cost, easy-to-use platform that can be deployed from ships or shore.
ANCILLARY is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS that can carry a payload of up to 60 pounds. It has an endurance of up to 20 hours and a range of 100 nautical miles. The system is also equipped with a variety of sensors, including a camera, radar, and an electro-optical/infrared sensor.
Autonomous Vertical Lift Aircraft
ANCILLARY is designed to be used for a variety of ancillary missions, such as:
- Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)
- Search and rescue (SAR)
- Mine countermeasures (MCM)
- Environmental monitoring
- Disaster relief
The system is also designed to be modular, so it can be easily adapted to new missions. Northrop Grumman is currently seeking partners to develop and field ANCILLARY.
The development of ANCILLARY is a significant step forward for the maritime UAS market. The system offers a number of advantages over traditional UAS, including its VTOL capability, its long endurance, and its modular design. ANCILLARY has the potential to revolutionize the way maritime missions are conducted.
Here are some of the benefits of ANCILLARY:
- VTOL capability: This allows ANCILLARY to be deployed from ships or shore, without the need for a runway.
- Long endurance: This allows ANCILLARY to stay on station for longer periods of time, providing continuous coverage of an area.
- Modular design: This allows ANCILLARY to be easily adapted to new missions, by adding or removing sensors and other equipment.
Here are some of the potential applications of ANCILLARY:
- In the Navy, ANCILLARY could be used to:
- Conduct ISR missions in support of fleet operations.
- Provide surveillance of coastal areas and shipping lanes.
- Support mine countermeasures operations.
- Assist in search and rescue missions.
- In the Coast Guard, ANCILLARY could be used to:
- Conduct ISR missions in support of search and rescue operations.
- Monitor maritime traffic and enforce laws and regulations.
- Respond to environmental disasters.
ANCILLARY is a versatile platform that has the potential to revolutionize the way maritime missions are conducted. The system is still under development, but it has the potential to be a valuable asset for the Navy and Coast Guard.
