Army explores idea of joint VTOL drone

The Army has provided an addendum to a Navy analysis of alternatives to determine whether the two services can meet their needs for vertical-takeoff-and-landing unmanned aircraft through a joint program, reports Aviation Week.

While the six-month analysis is in progress, the Army plans to issue a request for information to determine what VTOL unmanned systems might be available.

“We’re looking for near fixed-wing performance out of a vertical-lift platform,” said Tim Owings, acting program manager for Army UAVs, who added that unmanned cargo resupply is currently not part of the Army’s requirements for the effort.