Insitu’s Long Endurance Integrator VTOL Uncrewed Aircraft System


Well-Suited for High Seas and Gusty Winds

The Integrator Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft, by Insitu, a Boeing Company, launches and lands vertically on ships or land without sacrificing payload capacity or endurance. The system retains the performance of fixed-wing aircraft, providing the same long range wide-area surveillance capability for extended periods. It is uniquely designed to operate as a portable system in tight quarters, such as ship decks, and in challenging maritime conditions with high seas and gusty winds. No stationary launch and recovery equipment is required – providing maximum portability, self-sufficiency and modularity across UAS hardware and payloads while minimizing impact to other flight operations.

With 24+ hours of endurance and best-in-class modular payloads, the unique design offers a three-time improvement in range and endurance over hybrid-VTOLs.

“Integrator VTOL is a no-compromise uncrewed aircraft system,” said Diane Rose, Insitu president and CEO. “Customers can finally have it all: vertical launch and recovery with industry-leading payload capacity and endurance for their most critical missions, even in the most extreme maritime environments and sea states, without sacrificing valuable deck space.”

The system has two parts: FLARES (Flying Launch and Recovery System) developed by Hood Tech, and the Insitu Integrator air vehicle. Requiring no modifications to the aircraft, FLARES performs normal operations at half throttle, allowing significant control authority to withstand gusts, lower density air and higher ship deck motion.

To deploy, FLARES engages Integrator and climbs into the sky. Once it reaches its desired altitude, FLARES dashes forward before releasing Integrator, allowing Integrator to perform its long range, wide-area surveillance mission for extended durations. Once Integrator is released, FLARES returns to a ship’s deck or ground to await Integrator’s return.

As Integrator approaches at the end of its mission, FLARES again climbs into the sky with a recovery rope attached and performs Insitu’s proven and reliable retrieval method. FLARES then lowers Integrator to the landing area or the ship’s deck to complete the mission.

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