Centaur ,optionally piloted aircraft (OPA)

Product Overview

The Centaur is an optionally piloted aircraft (OPA) that has benefited from Aurora’s 26 years of experience in advanced aerospace systems and autonomy. The Centaur combines the best of manned and unmanned aircraft capabilities boasting three modes of operation (manned, unmanned and augmented).

Centaur is an excellent solution for operations over controlled airspace, utilizing the high degree of safety and redundancy required for manned aircraft, with the payload capacity and flexibility of a large unmanned system.

Centaur can be operated from a remote ground control station, which can conveniently ferry onboard, enabling high mobility of the entire system. Both pilot and sensor operator stations can be staged onboard or remotely, allowing for a variety of flight configurations designed to meet multiple needs including long endurance, hazardous operating environments and the highest level of safety and reliability.

Specifications

• General Aviation Certified Airframe
• 44 ft wingspan X 28 ft length
• Service Ceiling: 27,500 ft
• Payload Endurance (time): 24 hour flight endurance with 200 lb payload
• 135-160 KTAS typical cruise speed
• Top speed 175 KTAS
• All carbon-composite construction

Capabilities & Benefits

• Operating ability in conditions too dangerous for manned aircraft
• Can be deployed through controlled airspace to remote sites for unmanned operations without the need for transport, support equipment or personnel
• Twin-engine reliability and payload security (can operate with one functional engine)

Centaur Optionally Piloted Aircraft Broll Footage
Aurora’s Centaur optionally piloted aircraft (OPA) flew multiple unmanned flights from Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York from June 12-15, 2015. The successful test flights were conducted in full collaboration and compliance with Oneida County’s Griffiss UAS Test Site, which is managed by Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR). The flights marked the first time any large scale, fixed wing aircraft has flown at either of six FAA-designated unmanned aircraft test sites in the U.S.
Posted by Tecnologia belica y armas on miércoles, 25 de noviembre de 2015

http://www.aurora.aero