GLADAN · H4.0
An enclosed-rotor hexacopter.
Six shielded rotors, a faceted composite shell and a hybrid powertrain. GLADAN exists today as a complete CAD model; the images on this page are rendered from it.
Concept visualisation, rendered from the H4.0 CAD model.
Specification
As drawn.
Figures come from the CAD model, not from flight tests. Motor, tank and payload volumes are OEM envelopes pending final part selection.
- Configuration
- Hexarotor, six enclosed 32-inch rotors
- Span · length · height
- 2.9 m · 2.6 m · 0.46 m
- Propulsion
- Six U8-class motors, 32 × 11 in propellers
- Rotor enclosure
- Composite cowls with mesh grilles above and below each rotor
- Airframe
- Faceted composite shell, CFRP arms in bonded sockets
- Powertrain
- Hybrid: 8.6 L fuel tank, range extender, buffer batteries
- Sensors
- Forward EO/IR module, conformal RF radomes
- Payload
- Internal bay with a flush belly door
- Status
- H4.0 design study, CAD stage
Design
Why it looks like this.
Nothing exposed
Rotors, sensors and harnesses sit inside the shell. Safer around people and structures, and a cleaner silhouette.
Faceted, not rounded
Planar composite panels with recessed windows and louvres, shaped to reduce visual and radar signature.
Fuel for endurance, batteries for response
A range extender charges buffer batteries. Station time comes from the tank, control from the cells.