AVX Aircraft Company has responded to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeking designs for a tactical fly-drive vehicle known as the Transformer (TX).  The DARPA stated objective of the program is “to demonstrate a four (4) person flyable/roadable vehicle that provides the warfighter terrain-independent mobility.  This presents unprecedented capability to avoid traditional and asymmetrical threats while avoiding road obstructions.”

AVX Aircraft Company President and Chief Engineer Troy Gaffey commented on the proposal saying; “The ability of AVX Aircraft to respond to this proposal demonstrates the versatility of the AVX configuration.  The design is very adaptable and can be configured for many different size and types of vehicles.  The efficiency of the AVX design provides flexibility and performance to support both ground and aerial movement required for the TX design.”

In a briefing prepared for potential proposers in January 2010 DARPA presented the program requirements.  Specifically the program objective is to “Demonstrate a tactical four person vehicle that can fly and drive on command. “  The design needed to;

• Be manually driven on the ground like an SUV
• Rapidly reconfigures between ground and flight configuration
• Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capability
• Cruise speed equivalent to a light aircraft
• Automated takeoff/landing flight control

The AVX (TX) design meets all the performance requirements of the DARPA BAA.  The AVX (TX) will have the following performance parameters;

• 1040lb payload
• 250NM range on one tank of fuel
• 10,000 ft msl altitude at max gross weight
• 80mph on road speed, 30mph rough terrain speed
• 140mph flying speed
• Converts from road mode to flight mode in 60 seconds

The AVX (TX) will have intuitive controls.  They will provide the non-pilot operator control and navigation systems that are sufficiently intuitive to facilitate the transition from road operations to flight operations.

Additionally the AVX (TX) can be quickly converted to medivac with a vehicle operator, medical attendant and littered patient.  Further it can be converted to a resupply vehicle and using a sling can move 1250lb as an unmanned vehicle or 1000 lb as a manned vehicle with the same 250 nm range.

About AVX:  Founded in 2005, and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, AVX Aircraft Company employs helicopter industry veterans and executives with a combined experience of over 400 years across a spectrum of skill sets. AVX has developed and has patented a unique compound helicopter configuration with coaxial rotors and dual ducted fans that combines proven technologies to achieve greater aerodynamic efficiency, speed, range, fuel efficiency, HOGE and utility than conventional helicopters.