The SKY-Y is a Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology demonstrator developed by Leonardo SpA of Italy. The type has been used prove several qualities of possible future drone platforms and applications - including a focus on in-flight "Sense-And-Avoid" (SAA). The product was selected by the MIDCAS European consortium for just that, the data collected to be used in development of new rules and regulations for unmanned vehicles operating within the sphere of commercial air traffic.
The aircraft's appearance is a mix of existing types - the bulbous nose section of the Global Hawk is an obvious comparison. Unlike the Global Hawk, however, the SKY-Y utilizes a conventional, diesel-fueled, low-cost commercial-based engine with its propeller set in a "pusher" arrangement at the rear of the fuselage. The wing mainplanes are straight-lined (as in the General Atomics Predator) and low-mounted at the sides of the fuselage (with clipped tips). The aircraft relies on a twin-boom tail arrangement with each boom emanating from the wing mainplanes and joined by a high-mounted horizontal plane sitting atop the twin vertical planes. The tricycle undercarriage is wheeled at all three legs and fixed in place during flight (i.e. non-retractable).
Part of the SKY-Y project goal is rapid prototyping of various system fits including cameras and sensors to improve on the product's situation awareness once in the air. Carbon-fiber is used throughout its construction for a reliably strong, yet low-cost and lightweight finish. The SKY-Y flew for the first time in June of 2007.
May 2015 - The SKY-Y was successfully tested against a C-27J manned, fixed-wing transport to record the Sense-And Avoid response of the drone. The SKY-Y, upon sensing the inbound C-27J, autonomously changed its course to avoid a mid-air collision.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Leonardo SKY-Y Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Technology Demonstrator.
1 x Diesel-fueled engine driving power to a three-bladed propeller unit arranged in pusher configuration at the rear of the fuselage. Propulsion
Structure The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Leonardo SKY-Y Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Technology Demonstrator.
0 (UNMANNED) Crew
32.0 ft 9.75 m O/A Length
32.6 ft (9.95 m) O/A Width
6.1 ft (1.85 m) O/A Height
Armament Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Leonardo SKY-Y Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Technology Demonstrator .
None. Payload restricted to mission equipment only.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Leonardo SKY-Y family line.
SKY-Y - Base Series Designation.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Leonardo SKY-Y. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.
Total Production: 1 Units Contractor(s): Leonardo SpA (Alenia Aermacchi) - Italy
[ Italy ]
Era Crossover
Showcasing Aircraft Era Crossover (if any)
Production Comparison
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36183
44000
Entry compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian) total production.
Aviation Timeline
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Mission Roles Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to airborne requirements.
RECONNAISSANCE
X-PLANE
UNMANNED
Recognition Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.
Going Further... The Leonardo SKY-Y Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Technology Demonstrator appears in the following collections:
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