Threod THEIA Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAS: Solving unmanned aircraft challenges at sea and elsewhere

Project Information

THEIAUAS

Grant agreement ID: 867809

DOI

10.3030/867809

Project closed

EC signature date 11 May 2019

Start date 1 June 2019

End date 30 September 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

THREOD SYSTEMS OU
Estonia

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

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

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.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

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

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

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.

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