ARS and BFD Partner to Develop New Hybrid UA
Drone to Lead Industry Weight Class in Payload and Endurance
September 16, 2020 – One year ago Aerial Response Solutions (ARS) and BFD Systems began to develop a new hybrid UA that would enhance the type of fight missions that drove the initial design of the ARS/ENG UAV command and control vehicles. In order to truly take advantage of the robust communication links and systems integrated into our vehicle-based GCS, we needed to produce a unique UAV that had the capability to operate at extended ranges and with larger payloads not currently available in the market.
This drive to combine a long-range UAV with a vehicle-based GCS prompted an extensive search for a partnership, which resulted between ARS, and parent company East West Resources Corp., and BFD Systems. Maxwell Tubman and the entire team at BFD were clearly the best choice for ARS to design and build this unique UAV. BFD’s prior success, experience and production demonstrated that it was the most capable to could take on this challenging development. One month from now, after extensive discovery, research and design accomplishments, ARS and BFD will launch a groundbreaking UAV with an absolute focus on increasing flight time and payload while maintaining a maximum take-off gross weight of 55 pounds. The UAV is expected to lead the commercial industry by incorporating a revolutionary new hybrid microturbine powerplant; operating in a new area of commercial missions; and dramatically extend time before required maintenance.
ARS and BFD believe that the economic feasibility of the next generation of unmanned commercial applications is dependent on the improved ROI that is generated from increased functionality, in this case greater flight endurance and payload. The current design will also be capable of exceeding 55 pounds with appropriate waivers, and the two companies plan to scale the aircraft to heavier weight classes in the near future. For now, the two companies have a shared belief that the greatest potential to see significant economic benefits are found within the balance between maximizing newly developed technologies that meet cutting edge job requirements while operating within the FAA’s regulatory framework. The UAV will be available for order beginning in October and will be built in three models and will be sold as either a stand-alone UAS or integrated within a custom ARS/ENG Command and Control Vehicle.
