Horizon Aircraft have announced that its partner, Marshall Aerospace has completed a flight dynamics and control model to support the development and certification of the company’s hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, the Cavorite X7.
Horizon Aircraft partnered with Marshall’s Aero Engineering Services for their extensive experience and proven track record with platform modifications, special mission conversions, and other applied engineering programmes related to the dynamics, stability and control of aircraft. Marshall are perhaps best known for their work on the C-130 including several major airframe upgrades over its decades of association with the tactical airlifter programme
“We’re delighted to support Horizon Aircraft through safety-critical development work on a product that presents new possibilities for commercial and military aviation,” said Mark Hewer, Aero Engineering Services Director, Marshall Aerospace. “This programme shows how our deep engineering experience translates across complex challenges ranging from platform modifications to special mission conversions and test beds.”
The Marshall team has conducted an extensive analysis to model how the X7’s aerodynamic, propulsion and mass characteristics will influence flight behaviour. The outcome is a six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) flight model to support development of the X7’s safety-critical control system, enabling Horizon Aircraft to predict and optimise how the aircraft responds to control inputs.
Horizon Aircraft Chief Technology Officer Tom Brassington stated, “The delivery of the first flight model for the Cavorite X7 marks a strong start to our partnership with Marshall Aerospace. Marshall’s engineers have integrated seamlessly into our development process, serving as an extension of our team and applying their expertise to developing one of the safest, toughest, and most performant modern VTOL aircraft.”
Image: Horizon Aircraft
