Vanilla Aircraft VA001

History of Vanilla Aircraft VA001

The next logical step in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles is endurance, but this often requires larger, more expensive aircraft to get the job done. Designs have been used to extend the range capabilities of drones for years, with success and failure. A potential breakthrough candidate is the vanilla aircraft VA001 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), which made its maiden flight in February 2015 and is in development today (2017).

The aircraft was born out of a five-person team in Falls Church, Virginia, with the goal of building an economical, compact design that could carry payloads over long distances.

The VA001 is classified as a medium UAS with a highly efficient diesel powered engine driving the propeller unit in a "thrust" configuration. The aircraft features a straight, high-mounted main aircraft to achieve the desired balance of lift and drag, and its fuselage is shaped like a teardrop for improved aerodynamic efficiency. The outer panels of the main plane are inverted. The total wingspan is 36 feet.

The tail consists of a vertical tail with a high level.

The 475 lb VA001 can carry payloads up to 30 lbs. It lands without a landing gear and goes into its belly before coming to a complete stop. The propeller unit at the rear of the fuselage can be folded to avoid damage during maneuvers.

As development of the VA001 continues, engineers will continue to push the boundaries of this fascinating aircraft. From the looks of it, the aircraft can operate quietly for up to 10 days at an altitude of 15,000 feet and speeds of up to 75 knots.

It can hover around the track (on autopilot) while traveling at about 55 knots.

In January 2017, the crew of Vanilla Aircraft set a world record of 56 hours without fuel, the longest flight time for an unmanned internal combustion engine aircraft. Range limitations and the possibility of icing ended the planned 120-hour test flight.

During a test flight involving NASA/DARPA in October 2017, VA001 completed a flight lasting 121 hours and 24 minutes, covering approximately 7,000 miles. This demonstrates the aircraft's impressive inherent range, and the system still has three days of fuel in its onboard store.

This remarkable move broke the previous record for the longest unmanned flight powered by an internal combustion engine.

The VA001 is certainly of commercial and military interest, and has received particular attention for its inexpensive features and impressive performance. In the latter, the product is seen as a potential train-level support system for long-term reconnaissance and medium-scale cargo transport.

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