Hammerhead VSTOL Aircraft

The Hammerhead VSTOL is an unmanned aerial vehicle being developed by AVT. As a fixed-wing, tilt-rotor aircraft with fully demonstrated hover capabilities, it provides the flexibility to operate from confined and unprepared areas, yet is able fly at high speed.

Conceived in 1993, the Hammerhead VTOL first flew in 2005 and has now completed 55 hover tests.

The Hammerhead features twin counter rotating electric rotors to minimise pitch, roll and yaw cross coupling. Differential collective coupled with the ailerons provides roll control in hover, transition and STOL modes. Collective is phased out with wing tilt.

Prototype testing has demonstrated the viability of the configuration. AVT now intends to develop a 600-800kg class hybrid-powered variant and seeks collaborative support for this venture.