An effective VTOL UAV must be reliable enough to assure mission success and avoid catastrophic failures. Survivability It must be able to survive against a sophisticated array of air defence missiles and guns, electronic warfare systems and armed fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Finally, it must be affordable both in terms of initial purchase and life cycle operational costs. The TiltRotor Eagle Eye UAV was designed to meet the above criteria, and thus makes good business sense for the naval VTOL UAV requirement. The vehicle is based on a US Government funded demonstrator.
Heavy fuel is required on board ship for safe operation.
Gasoline powered vehicles must be defuelled prior to being stored below deck, disrupting operations, increasing fouled deck time and equipment. In addition, millions of dollars in expensive ship alterations must be performed to accommodate this process. The Eagle Eye UAV uses a government inventory, heavy fuel gas turbine engine. Storage on ships can be a challenge for several reasons. Space is at a premium, and air vehicles must be capable of being stowed quickly and easily.