Diamond Hero

The Diamond Hero is an Austrian helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle under development by Diamond Aircraft Industries and introduced at the Aero show held in Friedrichshafen in April 2012. The aircraft builds on Diamond's experience building airborne sensor systems based on the Diamond DA42.[1]

Hero
Role Unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin Austria
Manufacturer Diamond Aircraft Industries
First flight April 2012
Introduction April 2012
Status Under development
Produced 2012-present

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to be an autonomous UAV that incorporates artificial intelligence and will able to exercise its own flight judgment. For instance in the event of an engine failure the aircraft will be able to examine the terrain below it and pick the best location for an autorotational landing. Diamond Aircraft CEO Christian Dries said of the aircraft on 19 April 2012, "it's a little bit beyond a regular unmanned aircraft."[1]

The aircraft is powered by two Austro Engine AE55 rotary engines and will be able to lift a 250 lb (113 kg) sensor payload for 6.5 hours of flight endurance or four hours of hover endurance. It also has a recovery parachute.[1]

Specifications (Hero)

Data from AVweb[1]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Endurance: 6.5 hours

References
  1. Bertorelli, Paul (19 April 2012). "Diamond Announces Robotic Helicopter". AVweb. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
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