VTOL drones in a container: Sikorsky packs four Nomad 100 into the Fast Pack

A single 20-foot container should suffice to bring four ready-to-operate drones into the field, complete with control, communications and supply. The mobile system, called Nomad 100 Fast Pack, was unveiled by Sikorsky, which belongs to Lockheed Martin. The VTOL drones – designed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) – are intended to be deployable quickly even without developed infrastructure.

The main target group is armed forces that need unmanned systems at short notice in remote or contested areas of operation and must be able to relocate them quickly when required. Besides four Nomad 100 drones, the container holds all essential components for mission planning, communications, power supply and maintenance.

According to Sikorsky, two of the four drones are to be ready in less than 15 minutes; for the remaining two aircraft the company estimates four to six hours of preparation. After the mission, the system is packed up again and can be moved to the next location on a suitable transport vehicle.

VTOL drones without a runway

Like a helicopter, the Nomad 100 takes off vertically and can hover; at the same time it offers the advantages of a fixed-wing aircraft in speed, range and endurance. It therefore does not depend on runways and can operate from ships, improvised landing sites or forward military bases, for example.

According to Sikorsky, the tasks the drone takes on depend on its configuration. The spectrum ranges from intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR-T) through light strike missions to logistical resupply in contested areas.

Matrix controls the mission

At its core, the system is based on Matrix, Sikorsky's autonomy solution, which is intended to help plan, execute and adapt complex missions. While the operators define what the mission is to achieve, the system performs key flight and mission tasks automatically.

The Nomad 100 was developed under the Early VTOL Aircraft Demonstration (EVADE) programme, which was funded by the US research agency DARPA.

With the Fast Pack, what counts is not only the drone's performance but also how quickly it is available in theatre. By combining four aircraft and the necessary infrastructure in a standardised transport container, the aim is to cut logistical effort and ease the flexible use of autonomous systems.

Sikorsky gave no information on potential customers, prices or specific procurement orders at the presentation.