DARPA
ARES
Program
Ken Dorsett
25October 2014
What is ARES?
Transformer
Phases I and II
• Modular Concept
• Roadable VTOL
Multi-Mission VTOL Transport UAS
• Compact Landing Zone – Half of Typical Helo
• Higher Speed Than Helos
• Embedded with Infantry
• Closed Rotor for Safety
• Field-Changeable Payload
ARES
Aerial Reconfigurable
Embedded System
User Defined
Payload Modules
Modular Cargo UAS
VTOL ISR
KMAX
• Pioneering
Unmanned Cargo
• Gets Trucks Off
IED Roads
AACUS
• Autonomous Aerial Cargo
Utility System
CASEVAC
• Highly Autonomous VTOL, Navigation,
Obstacle Avoidance, Autoland
• Fly-By-Wire Flight Controls
with Redundancy
Autonomous
Control
• Intuitive Human / Machine Controls for
Non-Aviator Operators
Separable
UAV
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ARES Operational Vehicle Vision
• Next Generation Modular VTOL Unmanned System
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Field-Changeable Payloads – Multi-Mission with Single Type of Lifter
Compact Landing Zone – Half of Typical Helo
Tilting Ducted Fans - Closed Rotor for Safety and Speed
Highly Autonomous – Usable by Non-Aviator Troops in the Field
Deliver Light Vehicles
• SOF Support
Unmanned Cargo
• Food, Fuel,
Water, Ammo
• Palletized loads
CASEVC
• Dedicated
Medical Lift
• Humanitarian Aid
• Disaster Relief
Small Unit
Transport / Utility
• Armed Scout
• SOF Infil/Exfil
VTOL ISR
• Purpose Built Sensor
Pod and BLOS Comms
• Longer Loiter w/ Added
Fuel
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What is the Role for ARES?
Point to Point Delivery of Right Sized Loads for Users
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Door to Door Delivery at Point of Need
Multiple Units Operating Simultaneously
Each Modular Vehicle is Lower Cost than Heavy Lifter
Autonomous Delivery – Not Tied to GCS
vs. Mass Transportation of Bulk
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Emphasizes Design for Max Lift Weight
Speed Secondary
Needed for Outsize Cargo or Heavy Items
Larger and more Expensive Lifter
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ARES –Modular UAS Concept Integrates
Existing Tech
Twin OTS Turboshaft Engines
• Reliability and Redundancy
• Geared to Cross Drive Shaft
• Scalable Systems
Fly By Wire Controls
• Triplex for Safety and
Redundancy
• Sensors for Automated
Navigation and Landing
• iPad style mission
programming
Payload Pods Sized for User Needs
• Low Cost – Interchangeable Pods
• Payload Protected from Wind and Weather
Twin Tilting Ducted Fans
• Tailored Duct Shape
for Rapid Transition
to/from VTOL
• Mono-Cyclic plus Aero
Controls
• Scalable
Closed Rotor for Small Takeoff
and Landing Area
• Improved Safety for Ground
Operations
• Half the Landing Area of
Conventional Helo
• Folding Outer Wing Panels
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Demonstration Program
• Build and Fly Demonstrator in 2015. Show Design is Traceable to
the Field Vehicle
– Full Scale Flight Module
– Maximum Use of COTS Hardware – COTS Engines, OTS Actuators,
Gears, Flight Control Hardware, etc for Low Cost
– Ground Control Station for Remote Pilot UAV Demo
• Demonstrate Core Capabilities of Modular VTOL UAV Flight
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Measure Thrust on Ground Test Stand
Demonstrate VTOL and Hover
Demonstrate Transition to Forward Flight and Back to Hover
Demonstrate Basic Handling and Performance in Flight
Demo Modular Payload Delivery and Separable Flight
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DUCT CHORD
2.57 FT
ARES Demonstrator General Arrangement
41 ft SPAN
OVERALL HEIGHT
9.87 FT
16.2 FT
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Phase III Demo Flight Test Plan
Build-up to full graduation flight test with cargo delivery
Test Build-up
Hover
• IGE controllability
• OGE controllability
• Maneuver
• Translation
Handling Qualities Evaluation
Climb to
10,000’
Altitude
Transition to
Forward Flight
Vertical
Landing
Return to
Test Site
VTO
Transition
• Controllability
• High speed
Cruise Fuel Burn
Measurement
Cruise Flight
• Low altitude
• Fuel flow
• At altitude
FM Returns to Start Point
VTO
Repeat tests
with Cargo Pod
And Payload
Handling Qualities Evaluation
Vertical
Landing
Manually detach
cargo pod
Test site: Yuma Test
Center (YTC), UAS &
Aviation Test Facilities
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Wind Tunnel Test - Oct 2013 and July 2014
Cruise
Transition
Hover
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Demonstrator Fabrication in Process
Duct Fabrication
in Progress
Airframe Parts Machined
Control Actuators in Test
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Demonstrator Fabrication in Process
Gearboxes in Machining
Right Angle Gears from CH-53
Prop Hubs Machined;
Tension Straps Built
Final Machined Prop Blade Mold
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Summary
• Next Generation of VTOL UAS
– ARES = Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System
– Modular VTOL Payload Delivery – Cargo, ISR, other
– Designed for Operation by Non-Aviators (Infantry)
• Working toward Demonstrator Build and Test in 2015
– Fast Paced DARPA Demonstration Program
– Hardware Being Built Now for Demonstrator
– Demonstrator will be Remote Piloted
• Working Transition to Operational System
– Talking to USMC, US Army, SOCOM, other users
– Gathering User Input for Operational Requirements
– Incorporate Technologies for Autonomy
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