View source for Boeing A160 Hummingbird

{{Short description|Unmanned aerial vehicle by Boeing}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name=A160 Hummingbird <br> YMQ-18
 |image=Boeing A160 Hummingbird VTOL-UAS.jpg
 |caption=
 |type=[[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] helicopter
 |national_origin=United States
 |manufacturer=[[Boeing|Boeing Advanced Systems]]
 |designer=
 |first_flight=[[2002 in aviation|2002]]
 |introduction=
 |retired=
 |status=abandoned in 2012
 |primary_user=
 |more_users=
 |produced=
 |number_built=4+?
 |variants=
}}

The '''Boeing A160 Hummingbird''' (military designation: '''YMQ-18A''') is an [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] (UAV) [[helicopter]]. Its design incorporates many new technologies never before used in helicopters, allowing for greater endurance and altitude than any helicopter currently in operation.

The development of Hummingbird was begun for DARPA by [[Frontier Aircraft]] in 1998. From 2003 both the US Army and the US Navy also shared in funding the project. In May 2004, the company was acquired by Boeing and became integrated into [[Boeing Phantom Works]] and then into the Advanced Systems group of [[Boeing Integrated Defense Systems]].<ref name=goli/> Early A160s were powered by modified Subaru automotive engines, but newer versions use [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PW200|Pratt & Whitney PW207D]] turboshaft engines.<ref>{{cite news |date= November 1, 2007 |title= Rotorcraft Report: Turbine A160T Flies 8 Hr |publisher= Rotor & Wing Magazine |url= http://www.avtoday.com/rw/commercial/observation/16848.html |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120728140751/http://www.avtoday.com/rw/commercial/observation/16848.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= July 28, 2012 |access-date= 2008-11-19 }}</ref>

The A160 continued with developmental flight tests in 2010, but test flights had already demonstrated greater endurance, higher altitudes, more extensive autonomy, and greater payload.{{than what?|date=May 2015}} The program had ambitious goals of a {{convert|2500|mi|adj=on}} range, 24-hour endurance, and {{convert|30000|ft|abbr=on}} altitude. Flights were largely autonomous, with the aircraft making its own decisions about how to fly itself so as to meet certain objectives, rather than relying on real-time human control. The A160 achieved maximum speeds of over {{convert|140|kn|km/h}}, though endurance and altitude were its goals, not speed. The aircraft measures {{convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on}} from nose to tail and has a rotor diameter of {{convert|36|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="dsnapp2">{{cite web |last= Parsch |first= Andreas |date= 2009 |url= http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app2/q-18.html |title= Boeing (Frontier Systems) MQ-18 Hummingbird |work= Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 2: Modern UAVs |publisher= Designation-Systems.Net |access-date= 2024-04-30 }}</ref>

The project was abandoned by the US Army in December 2012.

==Design and development==

===Maverick and Renegade UAVs===
{{See also|Robinson R22#Maverick and Renegade UAVs}}

During the initial development of the A160 airframe and rotor system in 1999 to 2000, Frontier Systems simultaneously designed the ''Maverick'' vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV as a testbed for avionics, software and flight control systems. The Maverick was a highly modified version of the [[Robinson R22]] light civilian helicopter. By using a proven helicopter airframe, engineers were able to focus on developing systems that could be later transferred to the A160.<ref name=maverick/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/a160.htm|title=MQ-18 A160 Hummingbird Warrior|last=Pike|first=John|date=July 2011|website=GlobalSecurity.org}}</ref>

The Maverick program began in 1998, with the first flight taking place less than a year later in 1999. Although the R22 was a two-seat manned helicopter in its original configuration, the Maverick was significant for never having used a "safety pilot" (a human pilot riding on board and capable of recovering the aircraft in the event of a failure of the unmanned flight control system). Since much of the software and avionics systems were shared between Maverick and A160, Maverick remained in service long after A160 began flight operations. After acquiring Frontier Systems in 2004, Boeing halted most development of Maverick but it continued flying as a training asset and for reducing risk in technology development for the A160.<ref name=":0" />

Four Mavericks were flown by the US Navy, carrying Wescam Electro-Optical/Infrared sensor system, possibly among other sensors.<ref name=maverick>{{cite web |last=Parsch |first=Andreas |date=2005-09-01 |url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/maverick.html |title=Boeing (Frontier Systems/Robinson) Maverick |work=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles |publisher=Designation-Systems.Net |access-date=2008-11-19 }}</ref> Since being acquired by the military, most Maverick operations are unpublicized.

March 2006 saw the completion of the Software Enabled Control program sponsored by the [[Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency]](DARPA). With the help of researchers from [[UC Berkeley]], [[MIT]], and [[Georgia Tech]], Boeing developed a variant of its Maverick UAV platform which became known as the ''Renegade'' UAV. This aircraft successfully performed various maneuvers and flew routes without real-time human input.<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff |date=2006-03-20 |title=Boeing Completes Successful Autonomous Flight Control Technology Program |publisher=Space Daily |url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Boeing_Completes_Successful_Autonomous_Flight_Control_Technology_Program.html |access-date=2008-11-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Staff |date=June 21, 2005 |title=Boeing Team Demonstrates Advanced Autonomous Flight Control for UAVs |publisher=Boeing |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q2/nr_050621a.html |access-date=2008-11-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807160613/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q2/nr_050621a.html |archive-date=August 7, 2007 }}</ref>

===A160===
[[File:Rotor uav-051121-vcv-01adj-8.jpg|thumb|The A160 during ground runs at the [[Southern California Logistics Airport]] at [[Victorville, California]]]]

The development program for the A160 began when DARPA awarded a 30-month technology demonstration contract to San Diego–based Frontier Systems in March 1998, owned by UAV pioneer [[Abraham Karem|Abe Karem]].<ref>{{cite web |last=McKee |first=Michael W. |date=2003-04-02 |url=http://www.vtol.org/uavpaper/NavyUAV.htm |title=VTOL UAVs Come of Age: US Navy Begins Development of VTUAV |publisher=AHS International |access-date=2008-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017011558/http://www.vtol.org/uavpaper/NavyUAV.htm |archive-date=2008-10-17 }}</ref> In June 1999, Frontier tested the autonomous flight control system with the Maverick-A, a modified Robinson R22. This test bed was lost during a crash in 2000, after having flown for 215 hours. The first prototype, a three-blade A160, demonstrated a brief hover on December 7, 2001, and performed its first forward flight on January 29, 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.darpa.mil/news/2002/A160flightrelease.doc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032003/http://www.darpa.mil/news/2002/A160flightrelease.doc |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |format=DOC |date=January 31, 2002 |title=A160 Hummingbird Unmanned Air Vehicle Conducts First Forward Flight |publisher=DARPA |access-date=2008-11-07 }}</ref>

A four-blade version of the A160 flew in November 2002 using a [[Subaru]] four-cylinder engine, and later a six-cylinder piston engine.<ref name="dsnapp2"/><ref name=put>{{cite news |last=Putrich |first=Gayle |title=Defying convention |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-cutaway-amp-technical-description-defying-convention-boeing-a160-344075/ |work=FlightGlobal |date=10 September 2010 |access-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214348/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-cutaway-amp-technical-description-defying-convention-boeing-a160-344075/|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref> Frontier Systems was awarded a contract for four more A160s in October 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contracts for Friday, September 12, 2003 |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=2597 |date=2003-09-12 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=2008-11-07 }}</ref> A total of three vehicles were produced by Frontier Systems. Vehicles 1 and 3 were lost in crashes. Frontier began a planned KW600 Diesel engine for the vehicle, but never completed it. A Diesel engine would have nearly doubled the vehicle endurance due to lower fuel consumption.<ref>{{cite news |last=Robinson Jr. |first=Clarence A. |date=June 2007 |title=High Hover Finds Hidden Hostiles |url=http://www.afcea.org/signal/articles/templates/Signal_Article_Template.asp?articleid=1324&zoneid=209 |work=Signal Online |publisher=AFCEA International |access-date=2008-11-07 }}</ref><ref>Colucci, Frank. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110720065520/http://www.vtol.org/vertiflite/hummingbird.pdf "Hummingbird Hunts For a Home"]. Vertiflite, Fall 2008.</ref><ref name=trimb>{{cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |title=DARPA's Hummingbird unmanned helicopter comes of age |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/darpa39s-hummingbird-unmanned-helicopter-comes-of-225070/ |work=FlightGlobal |date=3 July 2008 |access-date=14 May 2014|quote=The rotor speed on a typical helicopter can be varied around 95-102%|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514181119/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/darpa39s-hummingbird-unmanned-helicopter-comes-of-225070/|archive-date=14 May 2014}}</ref>

Frontier Aircraft, and later Boeing, carried out the A160 program as part of a series of contracts with [[DARPA|Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency]] (DARPA), the [[United States Army]], and the [[United States Navy]] from 2003.<ref name="dsnapp2" /><ref name=DID_A160>{{cite news |author=Staff |date=2008-05-21 |title=A160 Hummingbird: Boeing's Variable-Rotor VTUAV |publisher=Defense Industry Daily |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/a160-hummingbird-boeings-variable-rotor-vtuav-03989/ |access-date=2008-11-19 }}</ref> In September 2003, DARPA awarded Frontier a $75 million contract for the design, development and testing of four A160s.<ref name=DID_A160/>

The A160's rotor includes blades whose stiffness and cross-section vary along their length. Their low loading and rigid, hingeless design allows for [[Slowed rotor|changing RPM]] between 140 and 350<ref name=pmA160>[http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/robots/the-rise-of-the-drone-helicopter#fbIndex3 The Rise of the Drone Helicopter - A160T Hummingbird] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820050027/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/robots/the-rise-of-the-drone-helicopter#fbIndex3 |date=August 20, 2014 }} ''[[Popular Mechanics]]''. Accessed: February 2011.</ref> using a [[Transmission (mechanics)#Multi-ratio systems|two-speed transmission]]<ref name=trimb/><ref>"[http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20295&item=495 Boeing A160T Unmanned Rotorcraft Shifts Gears in Flight, Passes 100 Flight-Hours] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051315/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20295&item=495 |date=March 4, 2016 }}" ''Boeing'', 18 December 2008. Accessed: May 2014. [http://www.deagel.com/news/Boeing-A160T-Unmanned-Rotorcraft-Shifts-Gears-in-Flight-Passes-100-Flight-Hours_n000005467.aspx Mirror] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192741/http://www.deagel.com/news/Boeing-A160T-Unmanned-Rotorcraft-Shifts-Gears-in-Flight-Passes-100-Flight-Hours_n000005467.aspx |date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> to optimize efficiency at different speeds and altitudes, a technique called "optimum speed rotor technology", invented by Abe Karem.<ref name=goli>Golightly, Glen. "[http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2004/december/ts_sf04.html Boeing's Concept Exploration pioneers new UAV development with the Hummingbird and the Maverick]" ''Boeing Frontiers'', 2004. Accessed: May 2014. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130517102310/http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2004/december/ts_sf04.html Archive]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160115034916/https://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=pts&hl=en&q=ininventor:%22Abe+Karem%22 List of Karem patents]</ref> It is primarily because of these features that the Hummingbird can fly with less power - and thus use less fuel - than comparable conventional helicopters,<ref name=put/> which only adjust blade pitch and keep the rotor at constant rpm.<ref name=crouch>Croucher, Phil. [https://books.google.com/books?id=AovdKRWSqJAC Professional helicopter pilot studies] pp. 2-11. {{ISBN|978-0-9780269-0-5}}. Quote: [Rotor speed] "is constant in a helicopter".</ref><ref>The [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60]] permits 95–101% rotor RPM [http://www.usarmyaviation.com/studyguides/index.php?folder=Documents/UH-60BlackhawkSpecific&download=Uh60limits.doc UH-60 limits]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818162950/http://www.usarmyaviation.com/studyguides/index.php?folder=Documents%2FUH-60BlackhawkSpecific&download=Uh60limits.doc |date=August 18, 2016  }} ''[[US Army Aviation]]''. Accessed: 2 January 2010</ref><ref name=newman>John M. Seddon, Simon Newman. [https://books.google.com/books?id=X_X3nOODGLgC&hl=da Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics] p. 216, ''John Wiley and Sons'', 2011. Accessed: 25 February 2012. {{ISBN|1-119-99410-1}}. ''Quote: The rotor is best served by rotating at a constant rotor speed''</ref><ref name=beck>Robert Beckhusen. "[https://www.wired.com/2012/06/hummingbird/#more-84749 Army Dumps All-Seeing Chopper Drone] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422203433/http://www.wired.com/2012/06/hummingbird/#more-84749 |date=April 22, 2015 }}" ''[[Wired (website)|Wired]]'' June 25, 2012. Accessed: 12 October 2013. ''Quote: for standard choppers .. the number of revolutions per minute is also set at a fixed rate''</ref><ref name=trimb/>

In August 2005, Frontier Systems, by then a Boeing subsidiary, received a $50 million contract from the [[Naval Air Warfare Center]] Aircraft Division "to assess the military utility and affordability of a long-range VTOL UAV employing a wide variety of adaptable payloads".<ref name=DID_A160/>

In October 2007, DARPA awarded Boeing a $6.3 million contract to deliver an A160T aircraft and modified pod for the Autonomous Real-time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance-Imaging System (ARGUS-IS) program. In 2008, DARPA considered stub wings carrying weapons.<ref name=trimb/>

==Operational history==

===Flight testing===
The Hummingbird made its first flight in January 2002, using a 4-cylinder Subaru engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boeing.com/bds/phantom_works/hummingbird.html |title=A160 Hummingbird |publisher=Boeing Integrated Defense Systems |access-date=11 September 2010 |quote=The A160 flew for the first time in January 2002 at a former U.S. Air Force base at Victorville, Calif. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213101653/http://boeing.com/bds/phantom_works/hummingbird.html |archive-date=13 December 2010 }}</ref><ref name="boeing_nr_051202a">{{cite news |date=2 December 2005 |title=Boeing A160 Hummingbird Completes Flight Test |publisher=Boeing |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q4/nr_051202a.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051207013005/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q4/nr_051202a.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 December 2005 |access-date=2008-11-19 |quote=The objectives of the recent flight test were to open the A160's flight envelope for the latest vehicle configuration, as previous aircraft used four cylinder Subaru engines. }}</ref><ref>Lewis, Paul. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2002/2002%20-%203299.html?tracked=1 "US Army and DARPA plan Hummingbird Redesign"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305141840/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2002/2002%20-%203299.html?tracked=1 |date=March 5, 2016 }}. ''Flight International'', 12–18 November 2002.</ref>  On September 20, 2004, the Hummingbird made its first flight since Boeing took over the program the previous May.<ref>{{cite news |date=2004-09-20 |title=A160 Hummingbird Resumes Flight Testing as Boeing UAV |publisher=Boeing |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2004/q3/nr_040920a.html |access-date=2008-11-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025143146/http://boeing.com/news/releases/2004/q3/nr_040920a.html |archive-date=2008-10-25 }}</ref>  The test program operated from the [[Southern California Logistics Airport]] near [[Victorville, California]].<ref>"Test flight program advances for Boeing A160 Hummingbird unmanned aircraft", ''Aerotech News and Review'', November 23, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.boeing.com/bds/phantom_works/hummingbird.html A160 Hummingbird] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213101653/http://www.boeing.com/bds/phantom_works/hummingbird.html |date=December 13, 2010 }}. Boeing.</ref>

In August 2005, the Hummingbird was flown around Victorville in a 1,200-mile course at 60 knots and 4000 feet.<ref>{{cite web |author=Anonymous |url=http://postmanpatel.blogspot.com/2005/09/uavs-they-should-be-code-named-icarus.html |title=UAV's, they should be code named ICARUS |work=blog |publisher=UK TOP SECRET Postman Patel |access-date=2008-11-19 }}</ref> A mechanical failure caused the helicopter to crash near the end of the flight and flight testing continued some months later after the crash investigation was concluded. On November 30, 2005, the aircraft successfully completed its first flight with a new 290&nbsp;kW (390&nbsp;hp) 6-cylinder gasoline-powered piston engine, hovering about the airfield for about half an hour.<ref name="boeing_nr_051202a" />

A follow-up [[turboshaft]]-powered version, the A160T, was first flown on June 15, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 18, 2007 |title=Boeing Completes First Flight of A160T Hummingbird Unmanned Helicopter |publisher=Boeing |url=http://www.boeing.com/ids/news/2007/q2/070618b_nr.html |access-date=2008-11-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128055943/http://www.boeing.com/ids/news/2007/q2/070618b_nr.html |archive-date=November 28, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was flown for 8 hours on September 27, 2007 while carrying a 1,000-pound payload. On October 12 it flew for 12 hours while carrying a 500-pound payload, simulating a multi-sensor military reconnaissance mission. This latter flight used up less than 60% of the Hummingbird's maximum fuel load.<ref>{{cite news |date=2007-10-16 |title=Boeing Logs 12-hour A160T Hummingbird Flight |publisher=Boeing |work=Photo Release |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q4/071016a_pr.html |access-date=2008-11-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205030915/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q4/071016a_pr.html |archive-date=2008-12-05 }}</ref>

On December 10, 2007, one of the A160T prototypes crashed during a flight test at Boeing Advanced Systems' test facility in Victorville.<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff |date=2007-12-11 |title=Hummingbird UAV Down Near Victorbille, CA: Details On Loss of Boeing A160 Helo Sketchy |publisher=The Aero-News Network |url=http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=ca2c24c5-2ab8-4e24-bbd6-a365e79560cc&Dynamic=1 |access-date=2008-11-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Graham |last=Warwick |date=2007-12-11 |title=Hummingbird UAV Down Near Victorbille, CA: Details On Loss of Boeing A160 Helo Sketchy |publisher=Flightglobal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/12/11/220218/boeing-a160t-hummingbird-uav-crashes.html |access-date=2008-11-19 }}</ref> A Boeing investigation determined the incident was caused when sensor data stopped being updated to the flight computer: with the feedback loop for the control system effectively cut, the helicopter "departed controlled flight and impacted the ground at a near-vertical angle." Much of the forensic evidence was burned in the post-crash fire. A number of potential areas that could have caused the software feedback update thread to stop were found, and those known problem areas were addressed and flight testing resumed on March 26, 2008.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Norris |first=Guy |title=Rigid Rotors |journal=Aviation Week and Space Technology |date=2008-03-31 |volume=168 |issue=13 |pages=48–51 }}</ref>

On May 9, 2008, at [[Yuma Proving Ground]] in [[Arizona]], the A160T demonstrated its ability to hover out of [[ground effect (aircraft)|ground effect]] (HOGE) at 15,000 feet to meet its [[DARPA]] milestone.  It then surpassed the milestone during the same flight by repeating the HOGE at 20,000 feet altitude. A week later, starting the night of May 14, the A160T demonstrated its un-refueled endurance capabilities with an 18.7-hour flight, landing with over 90 minutes of fuel still on board.<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff |date=2008-05-21 |title=Boeing Flies A160T Hummingbird Unmanned Rotorcraft for 18 Hours |publisher=Boeing |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q2/080521c_nr.html |access-date=2008-11-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020163247/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q2/080521c_nr.html |archive-date=2008-10-20 }}</ref> This was recognized as the longest un-refueled flight of any rotorcraft, and the [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale]] (FAI) awarded Boeing the official endurance record in the 500&nbsp;kg to 2,500&nbsp;kg autonomously controlled UAV class for the flight.<ref>{{cite web |author=Staff |url=http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=15059 |title=Class U-2.d (Autonomously controlled UAV) - Duration |publisher=Fédération Aéronautique Internationale |access-date=2014-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427014236/http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=15059 |archive-date=2014-04-27 }}</ref>

Earlier, in May 2004, the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command awarded Syracuse Research Corp. a $13.3 million contract for the ultra high frequency, foliage penetrating, real-time moving target indicator/synthetic aperture radar for use in the A160.<ref name=DID_A160/> In August 2008, the A160T began flight testing what came to be known as the [[DARPA FORESTER]] radar system.

In August 2009, the A160T was chosen by the [[US Marine Corps]] along with the [[Kaman K-MAX]] to demonstrate the ability to move 6,000&nbsp;lb (2,722&nbsp;kg) of cargo in less than 6 hours for three consecutive days.<ref name="mccargo">Trimble, Stephen. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/08/12/330943/us-forces-plot-new-role-for-unmanned-cargo-resupply.html "US forces plot new role for unmanned cargo resupply"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311193547/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/08/12/330943/us-forces-plot-new-role-for-unmanned-cargo-resupply.html |date=March 11, 2010 }}. ''Flight International'', 12 August 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2010.</ref> The A160T successfully completed the re-supply demonstration in early March 2010.<ref name="maHum">McHale, John. [http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/avi-article-display/4109623854/articles/avionics-intelligence/news/2010/12/a160t-hummingbird.html A160T Hummingbird UAVs from Boeing provided to U.S. Marine Corps] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719153816/http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/avi-article-display/4109623854/articles/avionics-intelligence/news/2010/12/a160t-hummingbird.html |date=July 19, 2011 }} ''Military Aerospace'', 4 December 2010. Accessed: 11 December 2010.</ref> In December 2010, [[NAVAIR]] awarded a $29.9 million contract to Boeing for two A160Ts and control systems. [[Kaman Aircraft|Kaman]] received a similar contract worth $46M.<ref name="duHum">[http://defense-update.com/wp/20101203_cargo_a160t.html Boeing Awarded $30 Million for A160T Transport UAVs to Support U.S. Marines in Afghanistan] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206102342/http://defense-update.com/wp/20101203_cargo_a160t.html |date=December 6, 2010 }}. ''Defense Update'', 3 December 2010.  Accessed: 11 December 2010.</ref> NAVAIR issued a stop-work order on the A160 in December 2011, before a Quick Reaction Assessment.<ref>Munoz, Carlos. "[http://breakingdefense.com/2012/02/boeings-hummingbird-back-in-the-mix-for-new-marine-corps-dron/ Boeing’s ‘Hummingbird’ Out of Mix For New Marine Corps Drone]" ''Breaking Defense'', 24 February 2012. Accessed: 14 May 2014. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140514184210/http://breakingdefense.com/2012/02/boeings-hummingbird-back-in-the-mix-for-new-marine-corps-dron/ Archived] 14 May 2014.</ref> The [[Kaman K-MAX|K-MAX]] was eventually chosen over the A160T for the unmanned resupply role by the Marines, and was sent to Afghanistan in 2011.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://futureoftech.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/21/9612653-robotic-helicopters-at-work-in-afghanistan| author = John Roach| title = Robotic helicopters at work in Afghanistan| publisher = Future of Technology, [[MSNBC]]| access-date = 22 December 2011| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120107173929/http://futureoftech.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/21/9612653-robotic-helicopters-at-work-in-afghanistan| archive-date = 7 January 2012}}</ref>

On July 28, 2010 an A160T crashed at [[Southern California Logistics Airport]]. It [[Autorotation (helicopter)|autorotated]] to the ground then rolled on its side.<ref name="scla-crash">Trimble, Stephen. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/07/30/345616/boeing-unmanned-a160t-crashes-at-california-airport.html "Boeing unmanned A160T crashes at California airport"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804051913/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/07/30/345616/boeing-unmanned-a160t-crashes-at-california-airport.html |date=August 4, 2010 }}. ''Flight International'', 30 July 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010.</ref>

In August 2010, the A160T underwent jungle test flights in Belize for the U.S. Special Operations Command.<ref>[https://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/08/special-forces-robocopter-spotted-in-belize/ Special Operations' Robocopter Spotted in Belize (Corrected)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105100412/http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/08/special-forces-robocopter-spotted-in-belize/ |date=November 5, 2012 }}, Olivia Koski, August 9, 2010</ref> Two airframes were involved in tests of the ability of DARPA FORESTER foliage-penetrating radar to penetrate jungle cover. The tests were stopped one week early when one aircraft crashed on September 4, 2010, at the Central Farm airfield in Cayo, Belize<ref>{{cite news |last=Putrich |first=Gayle |title=A160 Hummingbird crashes during testing in Belize |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/10/347201/a160-hummingbird-crashes-during-testing-in-belize.html |work=FlightGlobal |date=10 September 2010 |access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Page |first=Lewis |title=US Special Ops robot whispercopter crashes in Belize |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/09/13/a160t_crash_belize/ |access-date=13 September 2010 |newspaper=The Register |date=13 September 2010}}</ref> as the Special Operations Command was turning over its A160s to the Army in 2011.<ref>"[http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=425 Unmanned Helicopters Today Don't Meet Special Operators' Needs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726004436/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=425 |date=July 26, 2011 }}" May 19, 2011.</ref> A further crash caused by vibration occurred at Victorville on April 17, 2012, damaging the ARGUS sensor and the aircraft.<ref name=gra1>Warwick, Graham. "[http://aviationweek.com/blog/more-bad-news-boeings-unmanned-a160 More Bad News for Boeing's Unmanned A160]" ''[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]]'', 8 July 2012. Accessed: 16 December 2014. [https://web.archive.org/web/20141216181155/http://aviationweek.com/blog/more-bad-news-boeings-unmanned-a160 Archived] on 16 December 2014.</ref>

===U.S. Army cancellation===

The A160 was to be deployed to Afghanistan with the [[ARGUS-IS]] camera in June 2012. But just before deployment, the Army issued a stop-work order to Boeing because the aircraft had a high "probability of continued technical and schedule delays," and costs and risks had "increased so significantly that program continuation was no longer in the best interest of the government." Vibration was among the issues.<ref>Hidalgo, Jason. "[https://www.engadget.com/2012/06/26/us-army-stop-work-order-boeing-a160-hummingbird-drone-copter/ US Army breaking up with A160 Hummingbird drone-copter, says it's too high maintenance]" ''[[Engadget]]'', 26 June 2012. Accessed: 14 May 2014. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140410201647/http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/26/us-army-stop-work-order-boeing-a160-hummingbird-drone-copter/ Archived] on 14 April 2014.</ref><ref>Judson, Jen. "[http://insidedefense.com/index.php?option=com_user&view=login&return=aHR0cDovL2luc2lkZWRlZmVuc2UuY29tL1VubWFubmVkLVN5c3RlbXMvV2Vla2x5LUFsZXJ0L3dlZWtseS1hbGVydC1tYXktMS0yMDEyL21lbnUtaWQtODkwLmh0bWw= Lawmakers Want MQ-18 Funds To Be Held Until Army Shows It Has Need]" ''Inside Defense'', May 2012. Accessed: 14 May 2014. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140514195640/http://insidedefense.com/index.php?option=com_user&view=login&return=aHR0cDovL2luc2lkZWRlZmVuc2UuY29tL1VubWFubmVkLVN5c3RlbXMvV2Vla2x5LUFsZXJ0L3dlZWtseS1hbGVydC1tYXktMS0yMDEyL21lbnUtaWQtODkwLmh0bWw= Archived on 14 May 2014]</ref><!--background for review--><ref name=gra1/> The stop-work order left the A160 still officially developmental, but close to termination.<ref name=beck/> By December 2012, the Army Training and Doctrine Command had reviewed the Army's idea for a VTOL helicopter UAV for [[ISTAR#ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance)|ISR]] missions and decided that, because of budget constraints, they would not continue to pursue the idea. They instead decided that the Army would keep using the fixed-wing UAVs they already had for the role.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130415114735/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=996 Army Unmanned Aircraft Programs: Winners and Losers] - Nationaldefensemagazine, December 12, 2012.</ref>

==Specifications==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Boeing.''<ref>"[http://www.uvsr.org/docs/Boeing_A160T-Hummingbird_201006.pdf A160T Backgrounder] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515080454/http://www.uvsr.org/docs/Boeing_A160T-Hummingbird_201006.pdf |date=May 15, 2014 }}" ''Boeing'', June 2010. Accessed: 14 May 2014.</ref>  <!-- reference -->
|prime units?=imp
|crew=0
|capacity=
|length m=10.7
|length ft=35
|length in=0
|rot number=1
|rot dia m=11
|rot dia ft=36
|rot dia in=0
|empty weight kg=1134
|empty weight lb=2500
|gross weight kg=2948
|gross weight lb=6500
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney Canada PW200|Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D]]
|eng1 kw=410
|eng1 hp=550
|eng1 note=<ref name=trimb/>
|max speed kmh= 258
|max speed mph= 160
|max speed kts= 140
|cruise speed kmh=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph=
|range nmi= 2250
|endurance=20+ hours
|ceiling m=6100–9150
|ceiling ft=20000–30000
|glide ratio=7 (according to Karem)<ref>{{citation |last=Parsons |first=Dan |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/karem-aircraft-confident-military-investment-will-bear-404813/ |title=Karem Aircraft confident military investment will bear fruit |work=[[Flightglobal]] |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=16 October 2014 |access-date=18 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018155852/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/karem-aircraft-confident-military-investment-will-bear-404813/ |archive-date=18 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

==See also==
* [[Boeing X-45]]
* [[Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout]]
* [[Unmanned aerial vehicle]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Boeing A160 Hummingbird}}
* [http://www.boeing.com/boeing/bds/phantom_works/hummingbird.page A160 page on Boeing.com] <!--was http://www.boeing.com/bds/phantom_works/hummingbird.html --> 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080630073916/http://www.darpa.mil/tto/Programs/A160.htm A160 page on DARPA.mil]
* [https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=d0c1ee7352555c14b4135c6c42a70fda&tab=core&_cview=1 DARPA procurement page]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/a160.htm A160 page on GlobalSecurity.org]
* [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/a160-hummingbird-boeings-variable-rotor-vtuav-03989/ Chronology of A160 contract awards, flights, and modifications, with images]
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/07/03/225070/darpas-hummingbird-unmanned-helicopter-comes-of-age.html "DARPA's Hummingbird unmanned helicopter comes of age"]. Flightglobal.com, July 3, 2008.
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/05/06/326071/socom-reveals-plan-to-buy-20-improved-and-renamed-a160t.html "SOCOM reveals plan to buy 20 improved and renamed A160T Hummingbirds"]. Flightglobal.com, May 6, 2009.

{{Boeing military aircraft}}
{{Q-UAVs}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Boeing aircraft|A160]]
[[Category:2000s United States experimental aircraft]]
[[Category:2000s United States helicopters]]
[[Category:Unmanned military aircraft of the United States]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston helicopters]]
[[Category:Slowed rotor]]
[[Category:Unmanned helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 2002]]
[[Category:High-altitude platform stations]]
[[Category:Single-rotor helicopters]]
[[Category:Single-turbine helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]