"After two and a half years of development and testing, the Hummingbird aircraft will begin customer deliveries in Q3 of this year"

Unmanned Systems 2014

LAFAYETTE, Colo.--Hummingbird- Today Reference Technologies announced the release of three models of its Hummingbird® line of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

"After two and a half years of development and testing, the Hummingbird aircraft will begin customer deliveries in Q3 of this year," said Allen Bishop, founder and president. The Hummingbird incorporates a proprietary design including external multi-rotors attached on the periphery of a central ducted fan. The Model I is battery powered with a medium flight duration and light payload capacity. The Model II is a hybrid powered UAS utilizing a gas powered electrical system which provides power to six external rotors surrounding a 19" electrically powered central ducted fan with two counter rotating fans. The Model II is a long flight duration and high payload aircraft. The Model III is an enhanced version of the Model II utilizing eight external rotors in conjunction with a 24" central ducted fan providing extended flight duration and payload capacity.

The Hummingbird product line is a first in the VTOL unmanned aircraft systems market with flight times in excess of 5 hours and payloads over 25 pounds. To further enhance the payload and mission flexibility of all three aircraft, each airframe is equipped with multiple hard points which can carry/release mission specific payloads. Direct flight control and preprogrammed flight plans are managed via a variety of ground control interfaces including Intel™, Android™ and iOS™-based devices.

The company will be introducing the Hummingbird products at the 2014 AUVSI Convention in Orlando, Florida from May 13th through the 15th.

Headquartered in Lafayette, Colorado, Reference Technologies, founded in 2011 and privately held, is an aerospace company that is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced and autonomous aerial systems and products. The company offers a wide range of platforms and services designed to support UAS applications including but not limited to: precision agriculture, pipeline/power line inspection, search & rescue, firefighting support, public safety, airborne delivery and military applications including intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance.