1. DARPA
ARES
Program
Ken Dorsett
25October 2014

2. What is ARES? ARES Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System
Multi-Mission VTOL Transport UAS
User Defined Payload Modules
Transformer Phases I and II
Compact Landing Zone – Half of Typical Helo
Higher Speed Than Helos
Embedded with Infantry
Closed Rotor for Safety
Field-Changeable Payload
Modular Cargo UAS
Modular Concept
Roadable VTOL
ARES
Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System
VTOL ISR
KMAX
Pioneering Unmanned Cargo
Gets Trucks Off IED Roads
CASEVAC
Separable UAV
Highly Autonomous VTOL, Navigation, Obstacle Avoidance, Autoland
Fly-By-Wire Flight Controls with Redundancy
Intuitive Human / Machine Controls for
Non-Aviator Operators
AACUS
Autonomous Control
Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System

3. ARES Operational Vehicle Vision
Next Generation Modular VTOL Unmanned System
Field-Changeable Payloads – Multi-Mission with Single Type of Lifter
Compact Landing Zone – Half of Typical Helo
Tilting Ducted Fans - Closed Rotor for Safety and Speed
Highly Autonomous – Usable by Non-Aviator Troops in the Field
Deliver Light Vehicles
SOF Support
Unmanned Cargo
Food, Fuel, Water, Ammo
Palletized loads
CASEVC
Dedicated Medical Lift
Humanitarian Aid
Disaster Relief
Small Unit Transport / Utility
Armed Scout
SOF Infil/Exfil
VTOL ISR
Purpose Built Sensor Pod and BLOS Comms
Longer Loiter w/ Added Fuel

4. What is the Role for ARES?
Point to Point Delivery of Right Sized Loads for Users =
Door to Door Delivery at Point of Need
Multiple Units Operating Simultaneously
Each Modular Vehicle is Lower Cost than Heavy Lifter
Autonomous Delivery – Not Tied to GCS
vs. Mass Transportation of Bulk
ARES will do “retail” delivery to small LZ – with better speed and flexibility
Not trying to displace heavy lifters – note the armored HMMVW under the CH-53 weighs 15,000 lb =
Emphasizes Design for Max Lift Weight
Speed Secondary
Needed for Outsize Cargo or Heavy Items
Larger and more Expensive Lifter

5. ARES –Modular UAS Concept Integrates Existing Tech
Twin OTS Turboshaft Engines
Reliability and Redundancy
Geared to Cross Drive Shaft
Scalable Systems
Twin Tilting Ducted Fans
Tailored Duct Shape for Rapid Transition to/from VTOL
Mono-Cyclic plus Aero Controls
Scalable
Fly By Wire Controls
Triplex for Safety and Redundancy
Sensors for Automated Navigation and Landing
iPad style mission programming
Closed Rotor for Small Takeoff and Landing Area
Improved Safety for Ground Operations
Half the Landing Area of Conventional Helo
Folding Outer Wing Panels
Payload Pods Sized for User Needs
Low Cost – Interchangeable Pods
Payload Protected from Wind and Weather

6. Demonstration Program
Build and Fly Demonstrator in Show Design is Traceable to the Field Vehicle
Full Scale Flight Module
Maximum Use of COTS Hardware – COTS Engines, OTS Actuators, Gears, Flight Control Hardware, etc for Low Cost
Ground Control Station for Remote Pilot UAV Demo
Demonstrate Core Capabilities of Modular VTOL UAV Flight
Measure Thrust on Ground Test Stand
Demonstrate VTOL and Hover
Demonstrate Transition to Forward Flight and Back to Hover
Demonstrate Basic Handling and Performance in Flight
Demo Modular Payload Delivery and Separable Flight

7. ARES Demonstrator General Arrangement
FAN DIA
7.66 FT
DUCT DIA
8.50 FT
41 ft SPAN
DUCT CHORD
2.57 FT
OVERALL HEIGHT
9.87 FT
16.2 FT

8. Phase III Demo Flight Test Plan
Build-up to full graduation flight test with cargo delivery
Test Build-up
Handling Qualities Evaluation
Hover
IGE controllability
OGE controllability
Maneuver
Translation
Climb to 10,000’ Altitude
Transition to Forward Flight
Vertical Landing
Return to Test Site
VTO
Transition
Controllability
High speed
Cruise Fuel Burn Measurement
Handling Qualities Evaluation
Cruise Flight
Low altitude
Fuel flow
At altitude
Version 1
FM Returns to Start Point
Vertical Landing
Manually detach cargo pod
VTO
Repeat tests
with Cargo Pod
And Payload
Test site: Yuma Test Center (YTC), UAS & Aviation Test Facilities

9. Wind Tunnel Test - Oct 2013 and July 2014
Cruise
Hover
Transition

10. Demonstrator Fabrication in Process
Duct Fabrication in Progress
Airframe Parts Machined
Control Actuators in Test

11. Demonstrator Fabrication in Process
Prop Hubs Machined;
Tension Straps Built
Gearboxes in Machining
Right Angle Gears from CH-53
Final Machined Prop Blade Mold

12. Summary Next Generation of VTOL UAS
ARES = Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System
Modular VTOL Payload Delivery – Cargo, ISR, other
Designed for Operation by Non-Aviators (Infantry)
Working toward Demonstrator Build and Test in 2015
Fast Paced DARPA Demonstration Program
Hardware Being Built Now for Demonstrator
Demonstrator will be Remote Piloted
Working Transition to Operational System
Talking to USMC, US Army, SOCOM, other users
Gathering User Input for Operational Requirements
Incorporate Technologies for Autonomy