LIHA

This project aims at wingless aircraft built as a hybrid of electrical motors and internal combustion engine. It uses the former for lifting power, and the latter for standing in balance. It is designed to fly for an extended time period, to carry heavy-weight loads, to depart from and land to confined spaces even in difficult weather conditions. The aircraft could be described as a novel, compact helicopter.

Criticality

The project aims at an aircraft that can depart and land vertically, without wings to fly, and can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

The low speed, huge and multi-function propeller structure of helicopters is modified, and all the features of this structure is improved with electrical motors. For this purpose, the feasibility of this aircraft and its use is simplified. It is provided with ability to fly, lift and land in harsh weather conditions.

With its embodiment, the aircraft could be described as a compact helicopter.

In comparison to existing drones with electric motors, the hybrid structure of the designed aircraft targets flying for an extended time period while carrying heavy loads.

In addition to national benefits in military uses, it offers income stream by both renting intellectual property rights and end-product sales.

Aimed Flight Time:

The target for the first phase:
- 4-6 hours flight with 100-150 kg load

Upon success, the next targets will be:
- 8-10 hours flight with 500-600 kg load
- 8-10 hours flight with 1000 kg load

Further targets:
- 8-10 hours flight with 10 tons load

The question whether these further targets be achieved or not, will be answered by the progress. However, the answer is surely negative, if they are not aimed at.

Agricultural Activities

The aircraft can be used in agricultural operations:

• Disinfestation of open fields
• Disinfestation of though field conditions (hills)
• Sprinkling seeds
• Cargo carriage to hard-to-reach fields
• Fighting agricultural pests

Military Activities

As the project promises more benefits in its military uses, example use cases are provided with details below.

The drone can be brought to distant military front-lines by a vessel, and use the vessel as the flight base:

• Can support operations from the open seas
• In comparison to airplane carriers, low cost operation vessels can be made
• Enables immediate and regional operations

Advantages for distant military patrols:

• Can be used for delivering supplies such as food, medicine.
• Can be used for delivering military assets
• Could be used for carriage of military vehicles, upon achieving success at heavy weight flight

Advantages for military operations:

• Can be used for collecting intelligence prior to operations
• Deliver continuous support to soldiers during the operations
• Support laser pointer for guided missiles
• Low altitude flight according to tomography map, to be safe from radar and air-defense systems.
• Operations within the closed air-space regions, with the low-altitude flight capability.
• Can be used as unmanned air vehicle (UAV) or as unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) for security purposes

LİHA Havacılık A.Ş.

Uludağ Universitesi
Ulutek Teknoloji Geliştirme Bölgesi
Kat 1, No 117, Nilüfer, Bursa
Turkey

Email: info@liha.com.tr