StopRotor Technology, a new company based in NSW, Australia, is launching a new stopped rotor aircraft solution that can fly as either a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft.

The aircraft transitions between flight modes in manner previously unexplored in the history of VTOL development.

All previous Stop Rotor Aircraft designs have either attempted to stop their rotors in forward flight or proposed an impractical fuselage layout. Forward flight results in asymmetric airflow on the rotor system as it spins, causing instability and preventing successful transition from one flight mode to another.

StopRotor Technology's Hybrid RotorWing design features provide a practical solution to the challenge of stop rotor aircraft operations by operating the aircraft to align the airflow with the rotation axis of the rotor while in flight. This creates a stable flight profile where the transition from one mode of flight to another can be achieved.

This breakthrough is a paradigm shift involving flight well beyond the limitations of conventional fixed and rotary wing flight. It requires a new way of thinking, expanding the useable flight envelope and thereby unlocking this new capability.

Proof of concept prototype testing is currently being conducted using computer simulations and flying models. Covered by a patent application we have launched the technology in response to the new DARPA VTOL X-Plane program specification as we believe the idea closely matches their stated objectives.

An aircraft that can take off like a helicopter but fly like a plane will be a valuable new platform. Whilst it is at a very early stage of development we are excited by its potential and expect that it could fulfil a useful role in the rapidly expanding UAV industry.