Insitu’s new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability, which was conceptualized and created by the collaboration of Insitu and Hood Technologies, caught the attention of a global audience during its public debut at Xponential last month. Since then, the industry has been buzzing with questions about the technology: What exactly is a Flying Launch and Recovery System (FLARES)? Why is our VTOL capability separate from the airframe of the UAV? Do the benefits outweigh the complexity of the system? Finally, and most importantly, how will it make a difference?
What is FLARES?
Today I plan to answer those questions, and continue the conversation about the possibilities this new technology brings to those in need of information delivery.
For those who are unfamiliar with this technology, FLARES is a multicopter-based launch and recovery system for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), providing our fixed-wing UAS with a true VTOL capability. The current system is still in development and is being tested using our ScanEagle UAS, but will have the ability to launch and recover other Insitu fixed-wing UAS as well.
By Jim McGrew, Program Manager for FLARES
