Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, has unveiled the Nomad 100 Fast Pack, a container for carrying and deploying four autonomous military drones that take off and land vertically, for operations in places without infrastructure.
The container holds four Nomad 100 drones, a command system and the equipment needed to maintain them. According to Sikorsky, two of the drones can be ready in 15 minutes and the other two need four to six hours. The company has not said when the Fast Pack will enter service.
The Nomad 100 takes off like a helicopter but its wing lets it fly at speeds close to an aeroplane's. It uses Sikorsky's MATRIX autonomy system and is meant for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, light attack and logistics. It was developed with DARPA funding under the EVADE programme, and Sikorsky says the kit will let it operate from ships, vehicles and rough sites.
Background
Sikorsky
Aircraft maker
A Lockheed Martin subsidiary that makes the Nomad 100 autonomous drone.
Description from Aerobuzz
Nomad 100 Fast Pack
Drone deployment container
A container system from Sikorsky that carries and deploys four Nomad 100 drones with a command system and maintenance equipment.
Description from Aerobuzz
