Vanilla UAV
Long-endurance, low-cost UAV with over 8 days unrefueled flight.
The Vanilla UAV is an American long-endurance, low-cost unmanned aircraft built by Vanilla Unmanned. It holds an FAI record for the longest unrefueled flight by an internal combustion engine-powered UAV, having flown for over eight days.
The company was founded by Daniel Hatfield, Neil Boertlein, and Jeremy Novara, who designed, built, and flew the VA001 prototype. In October 2020, Platform Aerospace acquired Vanilla Unmanned. The VA001 set an FAI endurance record in December 2016 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, flying for 2 days, 7 hours, and 56 minutes. In October 2017, it completed a 5-day, 1-hour, 20-minute flight from NASA Wallops in Virginia, covering 7,000 miles (11,265 km) and landing with three days of fuel left. On October 2, 2021, a Vanilla UAV flew 8 days and 50 minutes from Edwards Air Force Base in California, covering 10,600 nautical miles (19,600 km) in circuits—a record ratified by the FAI. Only the Rutan Voyager has flown longer without refueling. In November 2021, NASA flew the Vanilla UAV in the Arctic from Deadhorse Airport, Alaska, testing instruments to survey sea level change. It flew nearly five days over sea ice, Greenland, and Antarctic ice sheets, carrying a radar to measure snow depth on sea ice, along with ice-detecting sensors, heating systems, and an anti-icing coating.
The initial VA001 used an off-the-shelf engine with a pusher propeller and a Piccolo autopilot. It weighs up to 600 lb (272 kg), has a 36-foot (11 m) wingspan, and a 55-gallon (208-liter) fuel capacity. Projected endurance is up to 10 days at 55 knots (102 km/h) and 15,000 feet (4,600 m), burning 1 lb (450 g) of jet fuel per hour. The VA001 launches from a sled towed by a pickup truck and lands at 40 knots (74 km/h) on a single center wheel. It can carry a 30-pound (14 kg) payload for 10 days. Mission payloads include electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar for surveillance or radio relay. Platform Aerospace increased takeoff weight by 75 pounds (34 kg), allowing a maximum payload of 150 pounds (68 kg) or a range of over 13,000 nautical miles (24,000 km; 15,000 mi) with a 30-pound (14 kg) payload.
Quick Facts
- Aircraft Type
- Unmanned aerial vehicle
- National Origin
- United States
- Manufacturer
- Vanilla Unmanned
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Vanilla Unmanned was founded by aerostructures designer Daniel Hatfield, systems engineer Neil Boertlein, and program manager Jeremy Novara. The team designed, built, and flew the VA001 prototype. In October 2020, Vanilla Unmanned was acquired by Platform Aerospace, a provider of aircraft prototyping, modification, and systems integration.
In December 2016, a VA001 set an FAI world record endurance of 2 days, 7 hours, 56 minutes in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In October 2017, a VA001 completed a flight of 5 days, 1 hour, 20 minutes at NASA Wallops in Virginia, covering 7,000 miles (11,265 km) and landing with three days of fuel remaining. On 2 October 2021, a Vanilla UAV completed an 8 day, 50 minute flight from Edwards AFB in California, flying 10,600 nmi (19,600 km) in circuits, an internal combustion engine-powered UAV record ratified by the FAI. Only the Rutan Voyager has flown longer unrefueled.
The initial VA001 was powered by an off-the-shelf engine driving a pusher propeller, controlled by a Piccolo autopilot. It was launched using a sled pulled by a towline attached to a pickup truck, and lands at 40 kn (74 km/h) on a single center wheel. Mission payload options include electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar sensors for surveillance including maritime surveillance, or acting as a radio relay.
Reader's Guide
The Vanilla UAV's significance lies in its demonstration of extreme endurance for an internal combustion engine-powered unmanned aircraft, achieving flights exceeding 8 days without refueling. This capability, ratified by the FAI, places it second only to the Rutan Voyager in unrefueled flight endurance. The aircraft's low-cost design and use of off-the-shelf components, such as the Piccolo autopilot and a standard engine, make it accessible for long-duration missions. Its operational flexibility is highlighted by NASA's use in November 2021 from Deadhorse Airport, Alaska, where it tested instruments for surveying sea ice and monitoring sea level change, carrying radar and ice-detecting sensors with heating systems and anti-icing coating for cold conditions. Platform Aerospace's acquisition and subsequent increase of takeoff weight by 75 pounds expanded payload capacity to 150 pounds or extended range to over 13,000 nautical miles with a 30-pound payload, enhancing its utility for surveillance and relay roles. The Vanilla UAV thus represents a practical, enduring platform for persistent aerial operations.
Did You Know?
- The Vanilla UAV flew unrefueled for 8 days, 50 minutes from Edwards AFB in October 2021.
- It was launched using a sled pulled by a pickup truck and lands on a single center wheel.
- The VA001 prototype was designed by Daniel Hatfield, Neil Boertlein, and Jeremy Novara.
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