AVX TX FLY-DRIVE VEHICLE

July 13, 2010 - AVX submits proposal for fly-drive vehicle

AVX Aircraft Company has responded to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeking designs for a tactical fly-drive vehicle known as the Transformer (TX). The DARPA stated objective of the program is "to demonstrate a four person flyable/roadable vehicle that provides the warfighter terrain-independent mobility. This presents unprecedented capability to avoid traditional and asymmetrical threats while avoiding road obstructions."

(Illustration AVX)

The AVX (TX) can convert from ground operations to flight configuration in 60 seconds providing the tactical performance sought in the DARPA BAA

AVX Aircraft Company President and Chief Engineer Troy Gaffey commented on the proposal saying : "The design of AVX Aircraft is very adaptable and can be configured for many different size and types of vehicles. The efficiency of the AVX design provides flexibility and performance to support both ground and aerial movement required for the TX design."

(Illustration AVX)

The dual ducted fans will provide propulsion both on the ground and in the air. Speeds of 80 mph on smooth roads and 30 mph on rough terrain can be reached

In a briefing prepared for potential proposers in January 2010 DARPA presented the program requirements. Specifically the program objective is to "demonstrate a tactical four person vehicle that can fly and drive on command." The design needed to :
Be manually driven on the ground like an SUV
Rapidly reconfigures between ground and flight configuration
Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capability
Cruise speed equivalent to a light aircraft
Automated takeoff / landing flight control

The AVX (TX) design meets all the performance requirements of the DARPA BAA. The AVX (TX) will have the following performance parameters :
1.040 lb payload
250 nm range on one tank of fuel
10.000 ft msl altitude at max gross weight
80 mph on road speed, 30mph rough terrain speed
140 mph flying speed
Converts from road mode to flight mode in 60 seconds

The AVX (TX) will have intuitive controls. They will provide the non-pilot operator control and navigation systems that are sufficiently intuitive to facilitate the transition from road operations to flight operations.

Additionally the AVX (TX) can be quickly converted to medivac with a vehicle operator, medical attendant and littered patient. Further it can be converted to a resupply vehicle and using a sling can move 1.000 lb with the same 250 nm range.

About AVX : Founded in 2005, and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, AVX Aircraft Company employs helicopter industry veterans and executives with a combined experience of over 400 years across a spectrum of skill sets. AVX has developed and has patented a unique compound helicopter configuration with coaxial rotors and dual ducted fans that combines proven technologies to achieve greater aerodynamic efficiency, speed, range, fuel efficiency, HOGE and utility than conventional helicopters.

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