HQ-55 VTOL UAS for Ship Based Operation

The Hybrid Quadrotor concept, developed by Latitude Engineering, combines the high power density of electric motors and propellers with the high energy density of a piston engine and liquid fuel. Together, each technology enables maximum performance in HQ's two regimes of flight: the electric system is responsible for lift while hovering (high power, short endurance), and the gas engine gives long endurance in fixed wing flight (low power, long endurance). Latitude proposes to address NOAA's requirement for a ship based UAS capable of carrying a 15lb payload and operating from ships, or confined land areas, by combining the lessons learned fron the development of the HQ-40 and HQ-90 aircraft. The resulting HQ-55 aircraft will have a higher useful load fraction than any previous HQ aircraft design, while staying under the 55lb limit to allow operations under the new Part 107 regulations. Phase I will prove the feasibility of the HQ-55 for this mission by creating an initial design and a prototype airframe, and conducting an initial test flight.