JERUSALEM, Israel (BulgarianMilitary.com) – The Israeli defence forces (IDF) are evaluating the potential of the Urban Aeronautics (UA) Cormorant VTOL UAS for cargo and casualty evacuation roles, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.
The tactical robotics Cormorant VTOL UAS recently demonstrated its capability to perform medical evacuation missions in combat zones.
Tactical Robotics is a subsidiary of Urban Aeronautics (UA) the Israeli company that has been developing this unique VTOL UAS.
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The demo was performed at the Megiddo Airfield in Northern Israel, and included taking off with a load of cargo, performing a pre-planned flight to a specified point of delivery, off-loading the cargo, and loading of a specialized, medical training manikin simulating a casualty which was then returned to the point of origin.
A monitor supplied by the Israeli defence forces (lDF) chief surgeon Trauma, transmitted vital information to the crews on the ground. This in addition to a video camera for two-way communication with the patient. With the exception of the loading of the ‘casualty’ and off—loading of cargo, the entire simulated mission was performed autonomously.
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According to Rafi Yoeli president and CEO of Tactical Robotics, the demonstration, a combination of cargo delivery and casualty evacuation, reflects Cormorant’s unique dual—role capability as the only UAS recognized by NATO to fulfill both cargo delivery and CasEvac missions. H added that as such, the aircraft is designed to exceed the standard
Reliability and handling qualities required of a typical. tactical UAV in order to meet the requirements to safely ferry human “cargo” back from the battlefield.
“We see the Israeli defence forces as our first customer and we have been working with their experts to define the needed capabilities” said Yoeli.
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The Cormorant is powered by the Safran Arriel 2 engine.According to the Israeli company , this shift to Arriel 2 power takes the Cormorant from its current status close to the final status configuration. Yoeli added that the Cormorant is the first UAV designed in accordance with FAA passenger carrying certification standards in order to be able to transport casualties or others needing evacuation from access challenged locations.
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BulgarianMilitary.com/Arie Egozi