Periodic Reporting for period 1 - THEIAUAS (Threod THEIA Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAS: Solving unmanned aircraft challenges at sea and elsewhere)
Reporting period: 2019-06-01 to 2019-09-30
The fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing UAV (VTOL UAV) market has boomed with the growth in demand from governmental and commercial aircraft markets. End-users are attracted to VTOL UAV solutions as it offers new options for emergency services, search and rescue, coast guard operations and has longer endurance and less complex maintenance than single-rotor rotary vertical take-off and landing UAV´s.
There is a capability gap for a UAV that combines the VTOL UAV capability, long endurance, heavy payloads, and landing on unstable and moving platforms. Threod Systems aims to develop a multi-purpose long endurance vertical take-off and landing capable UAV Theia, in order to support maritime safety and security, search and rescue, critical supply delivery and other tasks.
Objective was to improve, review and validate Theia specification. As well as to assess market potential, producton requirements and develop initial business plan.
There is a capability gap for a UAV that combines the VTOL UAV capability, long endurance, heavy payloads, and landing on unstable and moving platforms. Threod Systems aims to develop a multi-purpose long endurance vertical take-off and landing capable UAV Theia, in order to support maritime safety and security, search and rescue, critical supply delivery and other tasks.
Objective was to improve, review and validate Theia specification. As well as to assess market potential, producton requirements and develop initial business plan.
During the feasibility study, Theia concept was further developed, ideas reviewed and validated. Market potential assessed, production requirements identified, and business plan developed.
Feasibility study came to the following conclusion:
1. Theia concept is unique and has a great potential to become new benchmark in maritime and search and rescue UAV domain
2. Theia UAV has unique solutions that differentiates it from available fixed-wing and VTOL competitors:
a) retractable vertical lift solution that reduces air resistance during fixed-wing flight mode
b) variable pitch propeller allows fast reaction to fierce weather conditions and maximum energy efficiency throughout a flight
c) cardan drive shaft solution
d) retractable landing gear system
e) hybrid engine solution that extends range and allows to run multiple vertical lifts/hovering during a single flight
Feasibility study came to the following conclusion:
1. Theia concept is unique and has a great potential to become new benchmark in maritime and search and rescue UAV domain
2. Theia UAV has unique solutions that differentiates it from available fixed-wing and VTOL competitors:
a) retractable vertical lift solution that reduces air resistance during fixed-wing flight mode
b) variable pitch propeller allows fast reaction to fierce weather conditions and maximum energy efficiency throughout a flight
c) cardan drive shaft solution
d) retractable landing gear system
e) hybrid engine solution that extends range and allows to run multiple vertical lifts/hovering during a single flight
Several test flights and demonstrations were conducted with alternative platforms to assess UAV use-cases among potential end-users and the capability was warmly welcomed by stakehodlers.
There is a capability gap and enough customers in the maritime industry to acquire new technologies and benefit from remotely piloted aircraft systems.
There is a capability gap and enough customers in the maritime industry to acquire new technologies and benefit from remotely piloted aircraft systems.