Aerospaceweb's Atmosphere calculator
MicroMAPS Team Spring 2005 Final Report AOE 4065
Predator fact sheet
NASA tech paper TM-1998-206636 - Propulsion System for Very High Altitude Subsonic Unmanned Aircraft
CReSIS UAV Critical Design Review: The Meridian
Wikipedia: Altus UAV
History of HALE aircraft

I found an article about high altitude UAVs, and the Rotax 912 modification for Raptor UAV is mentioned here:
http://www.cre8tivenergy.com/uav.htm
(Quite interesting two stage turbo installation)

Here is an article which includes some text about Burt Rutan's Raptor UAV.
www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1993/1993%20-%202623.html

Just accidentally when searching about Raptor UAV (this is off-topic to this posting, but anyhow contains interesting information including patent numbers), I found this: Burt Rutan's CV. Needless to say "Burt Rutan is my hero", but here is the CV of Mr. Rutan:

http://www.roycecarlton.com/speaker/Burt-Rutan-Curriculum-Vitae/

I have apparently so many ideas that they can not be incorporated in one aircraft. Therefore I have concluded that there needs to be several steps or tiers with a slightly different themes.

So these are now:
Tier 1: Conventional simplicity: Low drag low power low cost twin. Small wing but high aspect ratio. Compromise: Medium power to weight ratio required. Concept usable for personal aviation.
Potential outcomes: RC-models, UAVs, Private aircraft.
Budget: Shoe-string

Tier 2: Flying wing: Suitable for diesel power, series hybrid and other non-optimal power/weight ratio powerplants. Large wing. Compromise: Poor power to weight ratio is ok.
Potential outcome: Plane with long range and diesel economy. UAV applications possible.
Budget: Shoe-string, external funding possibly needed for the large craft

Tier 3: Ladder: Large aspect ratio, climb machine. Compromise: High power to weight ratio beneficial, has impact in fuel consumption. Interference drag from multi-fuselage configuration.
Budget: External funding required. Implementation requires substantial investments in infrastructure and machinery.

Tier 4: Scissor wing delta: Aircraft that are optimized for speed and altitude.
Budget: Requires substantial investments.

Tier 5: Will happen only if tier 1-4 succeed. Idea not announced. Not all of these will be guaranteed to produce real flying aircraft, these are just categorization for a family of concepts.

11 Januari 2012

Faun Trackway Landing Mat (photo : Unmanned)

FAUN TRACKWAY, a manufacturer of mobility solutions technology, announced that the company won an order for its new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Aircraft Landing Mat (ALM) from the Australian armed forces. The contract is worth approximately $1.1 million dollars and is the first sale of the new UAV-specific landing mat.

With the first temporary UAV landing mat to hit the international market, FAUN TRACKWAY says it expects to capitalize on the quickly growing UAV industry. The lightweight UAV Aircraft Landing Mat is designed to provide a smooth landing, regardless of terrain, for any size or weight of UAV and can be deployed rapidly by hand. To enable the UAV to quickly decelerate when landing, the mats can also be fitted with arrestor gear typically found on aircraft carriers.

Chris Kendall, FAUN TRACKWAY USA Senior Vice President described the potential for the UAV landing mat, saying “The Australia armed forces are not alone in the challenges they face on the battlefield. We understand the needs of other NATO allies and this technology will extend military capabilities, no matter the surrounding. FAUN TRACKWAY USA, our newly incorporated American company, will offer these game-changing solutions to our developing client base in the United States.”

The UAV mats feature a robust design to help guard against Foreign Object Damage to help protect UAV assets. FAUN is also offering related ancillary equipment, such as lighting systems. Australia-based consulting firm Mackay Defence is acting as FAUN TRACKWAY’S locally based distributor and has provided ongoing support during its negotiations with the Australian armed forces.

Mike Holdcraft, FAUN TRACKWAY USA Vice President of Business Development, said: “We give users the potential to dramatically increase flight range and the length of military operations.

Unmanned aircraft have become critical to combat activities. UAVs are typically used on clandestine operations in remote locations, and militaries need durable runway infrastructure within flight range. Our UAV Landing Mat provides a fast and effective means of deploying and retrieving drones in any climate or environment.”

The company unveiled the new landing mat technology in the United States while exhibiting at the Association of the United States Army Conference (AUSA) in Washington, D.C. in October.

(Unmanned)

23 Desember 2011

UAV launch from the submarine (image : Raytheon)

US Navy Subs to Deploy Switchblade UAV

The US Navy plans to launch AeroVironment's Switchblade small, expendable unmanned aircraft from a submerged submarine during the RIMPAC 2012 naval exercise in the Pacific.

A contract has been awarded to Raytheon, which has developed the submerged launch vehicle (SLV) that allows the UAV to be deployed via the submarine's trash disposal unit when the boat is at periscope depth. The SLV gets the UAV to the surface dry and then ejects it into flight.

The contract for five sets of SLV and UAV is a continuation of the Submarine Over-The-Horizon Organic Capabilities (SOTHOC) program, under which Raytheon in 2008 demonstrated the "over-the-side" deployment of the SLV and UAV from a surface ship.

In the SOTHOC concept, the SLV and electric-powered UAV are stored on board as an all-up round. Ejected from the submerged submarine's trash disposal unit, the SLV is weighted to descend to a safe distance from the boat, then shed the weight and inflate a float collar.

Switchblade small and expendable UAV (photo : AeroVironment)

The collar is pulsed to control the rate of ascent. As it approaches the surface, the SLV deploys a water drogue to provide stabilization and a vane to align it into the wind. The tube then pivots to a 35-degree angle and ejects the folding-wing UAV.

According to a "justifaction and approval" on fbo.gov for award of the sole-source contract to Raytheon to support RIMPAC 2012, the company has been working on SOTHOC since 2007 and deployed the Switchblade from a submerged submarine at periscope depth for the first time under a FY2008 follow-on contract.

Under an FY2010 contract, the J&A says, Raytheon upgraded the Switchblade for the SOTHOC concept, conducted land-based testing and supplied five SLVs and seven UAVs for a tactical development exercise. The latest award is being made under the same IDIQ umbrella contract.

(Aviation Week)

20 December 2011

Shadow Tactical UAV (photo : Shephard)

The Australian Army has selected the Sentient Kestrel Land Moving Target Indicator (MTI) for the Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) systems being acquired under the Defence Capability Plan Joint Project (JP) 129 Phase 2. Under the contract Sentient will provide the automated target detection solution to support the Shadow systems in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

To be operated by the 20 Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Regiment, Kestrel Land MTI will assist Australian forces in analysing ISR imagery from the AAI Shadow 200. The software processes the imagery in real time, automatically detecting small, moving targets such as dismounts and vehicles within the TUAV sensors’ field of view.

Equipped with cutting-edge payload technology including advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors the Shadow TUAV will transmit real-time, full motion video (FMV) to the Ground Control Station (GCS) and remote video viewing devices. The Kestrel system analyses the video footage and provide a real-time cue to operators on moving objects within the field of view. This capability will enable the Army to effectively detect and respond to enemy targets, and thus protect Australian forces.

According to the company, the Army has purchased three Kestrel Land MTI licenses for 20 STA Regiment, which will be deployed with the Shadow in Afghanistan early next year. Sentient has been working closely with 20 STA Regiment and AAI over the past years and has successfully demonstrated Kestrel’s automated target detection capability with the Shadow.

Kestrel is currently supporting the Australian Army on board the ScanEagle which will remain in service in Afghanistan during the transition-in of the Shadow.

(Shephard)

07 Desember 2011

CyberEye UAV (photo : Sapura)

Malaysian company Sapura Secured Technologies is marketing four unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).

The security company launched its UAV unit in 2008 under the name Cyber Tech, which is located in Perth, Western Australia.

CyberWraith target drone (photo : Sapura)

The company's most ambitious UAV is the Cyber Eye, which weighs 65kg (143lb) and can have a 15kg sensor payload added to this. Sapura said it is suitable for military applications as well as crop monitoring.

Sapura said it has sold "more than five" Cyber Eyes in Australia, Thailand and Europe. One of its customers is an air force, but the company declined to provide further details.

CyberQuad hovering urban aerial vehicle (photo : Sapura)

The company is also marketing the Cyber Hawk, a 20kg UAV with an endurance of 6h, and the 1kg Cyber Quad micro air vehicle. The four-propeller Cyber Quad comes in two sizes, and is targeted at the law enforcement market.

(FlightGlobal)

28 November 2011

Aladin mini UAV (photo : Defense Industry Daily)

GERMAN aviation firm EMT plans to manufacture Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones in Malaysia by June next year via a local partner.

EMT has roped in Drei Sohne Technologies (Deutschland) Sdn Bhd (DST) as its sole Asian region sales and marketing representative.

"We are planning to send the first of a 15-member technical team to Germany for training soon," DST managing director Azmi Mustapha said.

"The principal team from EMT will also be coming here later to assist us," Azmi added.
DST was established in Kuala Lumpur on December 20 last year.

It deals in the sales, servicing and marketing of EMT UAV systems for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes such as military operations, border control, search and rescue, disaster management and specialised missions.

Established in 1978, EMT has over 30 years of experience in the UAV systems industry. This ranges from research and development, manufacturing and continuous system improvements using the latest and state-of-the-art German technologies, to real reconnaissance and surveillance missions in the combat fields of Afghanistan, Macedonia, Kosovo and Pakistan in extremely harsh environments.

EMT's growing family of drones covers the range of micro drones, mini drones and larger tactical drones.

DST is identifying a suitable location for the plantwith an initial investment of RM5 million, said Azmi, who has been living and doing business in Germany for 20 years.

He currently jets between Germany and Malaysia, besides visiting other Asian countries as sole distributor of EMT.

Fancopter UAV (photo : EMT)

"I choose Malaysia as I want the country to be the first to be exposed with this technology that is now being used all around the world.

" It gives me satisfaction to put the country on the world map as one of the manufacturers of drones for the global market," he said.

DST plans to manufacture FANCOPTER, a micro aerial reconnaissance and surveillance system, and ALADIN, a mini aerial reconnaissance system, here.

"We have also received the nod from EMT for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of their drones," Azmi said.

He said the drones can be used in a variety of situations. They are not only useful for surveillance and piracy control, but also in the event of natural disasters.

"Imagine that you are facing a natural disaster such as flood or landslide. Instead of sending people over there to check out the situation, you can use drones to obtain all the data needed for further action.

"This will cut the time, cost and, at the same time, ensure the safety of rescue workers," he said.

DST had on April 26 this year done an EMT UAV presentation to the Ministry of Defence. In July, it did a presentation at the Brunei International Defence Exhibition.

Next month, DST will participate in11th edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition that will run from December 6 to December 10.

(Business Times)

14 November 2011

G-Star tactical UAV (photo : suasnews)

Innocon and its Thai partner, G-Force Composites, are offering a new training solution for the G-Star tactical unmanned air system (UAS) now being evaluated by the Royal Thai Air Force.

Based on Innocon's MiniFalcon-2 design, the G-Star has a maximum take-off weight of 220kg (485lb). Thailand has purchased one system and is evaluating it against other UAS, including the Aerostar produced by Israel's Aeronautics Defense Systems.

Using simulation capabilities supplied by Simlat, the training system can be integrated with an operational UAS console to provide a realistic training setting for G-Star operators. Its purpose is to train them in mission aspects such as flight patterns, payload operation and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.

"Customers can now prepare for emergencies and diverse mission scenarios in addition to basic operation training," said Innocon chief executive Michael Armon. "This reduces certification costs, increases safety and yields high customer satisfaction."

G-Force has so far specialised in manufacturing composite structures and supplied some for UAS developed by Innocon. The G-Star is the first result of a cooperation agreement signed by the companies earlier this year.

(FlightGlobal)

See Also :

Thailand evaluates G-Star unmanned air system
14 November 2011

Thailand's air force is evaluating the G-Star unmanned air system (UAS) which is based on Israeli manufacturer Innocon's MiniFalcon-2.

The G-Star has a twin boom fuselage and boasts a maximum take-off weight of 220kg, compared with the MiniFalcon-2's MTOW of 200kg.

G-Star is the outcome of a co-operation between Innocon and Thai company G-Force Composites. The latter also acts as Innocon's regional representative.

The Royal Thai Air Force has purchased one G-Star system for evaluation purposes and is pitting it against other UAS, including Aeronautics' Aerostar.

(FlightGlobal)

31 Agustus 2011

Prototype of vertical UAV (photo : TAF)

Royal Thai Navy, Defence Institute of Technology public organization (DTI) in cooperation with Kasama helicopter Ltd signed a joint research and development of vertical unmanned aircraft (UAV) in the current prototype design, the first prototype near completed and ready to flight test within two months.

Prototype of the unmanned aircraft will feature the no tail (Tailless) The body has two blades to help balance and stabilize the aircraft in flight. Designed in this manner will reduce the chances of the tail may be associated with the vessel so that the aircraft can operate in a limited area such as the stern. The design also made the aircraft capable of traveling both series as well.

In creating it, the body is formed with carbon fiber. Initially, the jet engine to drive, before upgraded to a 150 cc gasoline engine to reduce fuel consumption and operating the aircraft for a period of up in the air.

The project will take 2 years to develop and produce a plan, the Navy enlist for at least 10 aircraft.

(TAF)

26 Juli 2011

Vertical Take Off UAV (all photos : TAF)

Once a week ago, Navy Defence Institute of Technology and Kasama helicopter Ltd. signed a joint research project into the vertical unmanned aircraft. Under 20 million in research funding builds on the research of unmanned aircraft into the surface of the Navy to develop and prepare to enter the production line.

Unmanned research aircraft up and down as the Navy's research program to build unmanned aircraft up and down according to the operational needs of users in the Navy.

The Navy has partnered with two private companies, is free of all restrictions on our Company, and Kasama helicopter research and prototyping as a prototype unmanned aircraft up and down the straight.


This makes both the Navy and private companies and has cooperated with the Institute of Defense to continue research to develop the aircraft systems, improve the performance of the machine actually works, including preparations to open a production line to produce the next entry.

The shape is different from that seen prototype aircraft, which initially will be produced. The first of two aircraft which are expected to take approximately two years.

(TAF)

16 Juli 2011

RQ7B Shadow 200 UAV (photo : krblog)

New Drones to Protect Diggers

AFGHAN-BASED Diggers will get enhanced protection from a new $170 million US-designed unmanned spy plane system within months, Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare confirmed yesterday.

The catapult-launched Shadow 200 is a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle that will provide day and night surveillance. Its purchase, part of a $1.1 billion package of protection measures, was first announced by former defence minister John Faulkner last year.

The package includes the C-Ram early-warning radar system used to detect incoming rockets or artillery.

The first UAV system, which comprises as many as six drone aircraft, is expected to be deployed by the end of the year, a defence spokesman told The Weekend Australian.

It will replace the smaller, less capable Scan Eagle UAV leased under an earlier deal with US aircraft maker Boeing.

"The Australian government is acquiring two Shadow 200 systems from the US army via a Foreign Military Sales Agreement," the spokesman said.

It is understood the Australian Defence Force will take early delivery of its first Shadow 200 System within months, 18 months ahead of the FMA schedule.

The early delivery of a second system has been made possible by the US army giving up one of its production-line slots.

The propeller-driven Shadow is launched from a trailer-mounted catapult but lands conventionally on a tricycle undercarriage and is retrieved using an arrester wire.

It is powered by a 38hp engine and has a range in excess of 100km and eight-hour endurance.

Mr Clare was at Amberley yesterday to receive three new F/A-18F Super Hornets, which brings to 18 the total number of aircraft now operated by the Royal Australian Air Force.

Six more aircraft will be delivered by the end of the year.

The Super Hornets will ensure that Australia's air combat capability is maintained until the full introduction into service of the Joint Strike Fighter.

(The Australian)

12 Juli 2011

Heron UAV (photo : Australian DoD)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the extension of the contract to provide Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft to Australian troops in Afghanistan to the end of 2012.

The Heron provides aerial support and surveillance in support of Australian and coalition operations in Afghanistan.

Mr Clare said the unmanned aircraft provides high-resolution, real-time surveillance.

“This gives commanders better awareness of what is happening on the ground where troops are deployed,” Mr Clare said.

“The Heron has been in operation since 2009. It’s an important capability – it effectively gives our commanders eyes in the sky.”

The Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army personnel deployed to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan conduct Heron operations in support of Australian troops and our coalition partners.

The contract was first signed with MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates for this capability in 2009.

The Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft is a one tonne aircraft.

It is capable of medium altitude, long endurance flights.

It can conduct operations in excess of 24 hours.

Its maximum speed is more than 100 knots (180 km/h) at altitudes of up to 10,000 metres.

(Australian DoD)

10 Juli 2011

Luna UAV (all photos : Drei Söhne Technologies)

German company Drei Söhne Technologies (DST) yesterday appointed Sri Sentosa Sdn Bhd, a local company, to market its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipment in the Sultanate.

DST supplies a number of small surveillance aircrafts that ranges from 1.5kg to 40kg in weight and can travel at speeds of 40km/h to 70km/h. The company's customer base includes various defence ministries from around the world.

The company's products include the Luna (photo above, right), Aladin, Fancopter and Museco.

DST's partnership with the local company was fuelled by the mission of Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Defence to obtain state-of-the-art equipment and to expand its equipment portfolio.

Through the collaboration of the two companies, the transition of going high-tech would be made much easier for the Brunei Government. Other departments will also be able to utilise the UAV equipment to combat various forms of threats including illegal logging and border patrol.

(Borneo Bulletin)

05 Juli 2011

Chinese Global Hawk UAV (photo : CJBDY)

The existing of the Chinese UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicled ) "Global Hawk" is nothing new as it has been featured in various defence shows. However, until today there has been no confirmation to suggest that the PLAAF is adopting this high-altitude UAV, but a recent picture take in Xianglong, Chinese Air Force base, suggests that the "Global Hawk" is now in service.

Guizhou Aviation Group (GAV) had announced in November 2009 that the maiden flight of the Xianglong UAV has been successfully conducted. The maiden flight took place at the Anshun airport and lasted 18 minutes.

Xianglong, or the Chinese HQ-4 Global Hawk, is a joint venture between the Guizhou Aviation Group and the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI). It was first unveiled at the 2006 Zhuhai air show and completed its high-speed taxing tests in 2008. The fuselage, vertical and power plant of the Xianglong was designed by the GAV and the job of testing, manufacture and final assembly was handled by the CADI.

(Army Recognition)

24 Juni 2011

ScanEagle UAS (photo : Insitu)

Insitu Pacific Reaches 25,000 Hours Supporting Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan

BINGEN, Wash., June 22, 2011- Insitu Pacific, the Australia-based subsidiary of Insitu Inc., today announced it has achieved 25,000 operational flight hours of ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) services with the Australian Army in Afghanistan.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has used ScanEagle heavily since June 2007. Completing up to 880 flight hours and 150 flights per month, Insitu Pacific personnel work alongside Australian Army personnel in theater to provide 24/7 specialist support with an industry-leading 99 percent mission-readiness rate.

“Insitu Pacific is committed to supporting ADF operations to the highest standard. The past four years and 25,000 flight hours in Afghanistan have clearly demonstrated that commitment,” said Insitu Pacific Managing Director Andrew Duggan.

This high standard was recognised at the Australian Defence Magazine (ADM) Congress earlier this year, when Insitu Pacific received the “Team of the Year Award” for ADM's 2010 best “Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) / Small to Medium Enterprise Team.” Insitu Pacific won the award in concert with the Army Aviation Systems Program Office Unmanned Air Vehicle Management Unit for their collaborative efforts delivering ScanEagle UAS services to the Australian Army in Australia and Afghanistan.

The ScanEagle UAS provides tactical aerial reconnaissance support to land forces in Afghanistan, protecting approximately 1,500 ADF personnel. Insitu Pacific's contribution in Afghanistan is part of ADF Operation Slipper, which is part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) working under a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) mandate.

Insitu Pacific, located in Queensland, Australia, has provided UAS services to defence, civil and commercial interests in the Asia-Pacific region since June 2009. It is a subsidiary of U.S.-based Insitu Inc.

Insitu Inc., located in Bingen, Wash., is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. Insitu designs, develops and manufactures UAS and provides associated services for commercial and military applications. With a small footprint and expeditionary focus for both land and sea operations, the company's family of UAS solutions serves the needs of the global defense community. To date, these systems have accumulated 485,000 combat flight hours and 60,000 sorties.

(Insitu)

20 Juni 2011

The Heron carries an Electro-Optical MOSP-3000 payload, carrying FLIR and video cameras and a laser designator system (photo: Defense-Update)

Herzliya, Israel - Simlat Ltd. announces the delivery of a customized Heron UAS payload operator training system to the Australian Air Force. The simulator is designed to provide focused training for the payload operator, and supports diverse training goals, from basic operation to mission rehearsal and intensive currency training. Simlat's customized system immerses the customer in a realistic replica of the operational environment by providing high-end simulation of payload, sensors, platform, and operational station, and by adjusting mission scenario contents by the RAAF. The training system is also equipped with a STANAG 4609 metadata output, allowing the RAAF to easily stream this data into any standard-supporting device, such as Imagery Analysis systems.

"Apart from providing a synthetic training capability for our student EO/IR Payload Operators, we have been able to use the video output from the trainer as the input for our replica Intelligence processing, exploitation and dissemination centre, thus enabling real time interaction between the Payload Operator, Intelligence Officer and Geospatial Imagery Analysts on various scenarios.", says David Riddel, Program NANKEEN IPT Lead. "We currently have the Simlat Payload Operator trainer supplying real time synthetic FMV to our SOCET, MAAS, KESTREL and FalconView environment, giving us a fantastic interactive training capability without the cost of putting a real aircraft in the air.

(Simlat/ASDNews)

20 Mei 2011

Compass IV for UAV (photo : Elbit)

Elbit Wins $52 Million Deal with Asian Customer

TAIPEI - Israel's Elbit Systems has won two contracts for an unnamed "Asian country" and "Asian Army" believed to be Singapore. Elbit officials would not confirm the identity of the customer, but said the two contracts amounted to $52.7 million.

The first contract, valued at $32.7 million, is to supply an "Asian army with advanced training systems for its armor and infantry forces," said an Elbit Systems press release on May 17. The project will comprise driving simulators for various tracked and wheeled armored vehicles, and an advanced gunnery and tactical simulator.

"This is a follow-on contract to a previous project that was successfully delivered to this customer, attesting to the satisfaction and belief in our advanced training and simulation capabilities," said Yoram Shmuely, co-general manager, Elbit Systems' Aerospace Division.

The second contract, valued at $20 million, is for "dozens" of Compact Multi Purpose Advanced Stabilized System (CoMPASS) payloads for maritime patrol aircraft.

"The Asian country, which operates one of the largest maritime patrol fleets in the world, has selected the CoMPASS payload as a solution to protect its coastlines," said an Elbit press release on May 18.

The CoMPASS payload was developed and manufactured by Elbit's Electro-optics Elop unit and has been "installed onboard hundreds of platforms, including Unmanned Aircraft Systems," the company said.

CoMPASS belongs to the 15-inch payload family and includes an advanced thermal imaging system, laser range designator and a day channel, allowing optimal intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities in all weather conditions.

"Due to the recent increasing demand, Elop has doubled the quantity of payloads manufactured for integration on board maritime patrol platforms," said Adi Dar, Elop's general manager. "We are proud to be selected to perform this project, attesting to the customer's satisfaction with the high quality and performance of our previously supplied systems."

(DefenseNews)

I have apparently so many ideas that they can not be incorporated in one aircraft. Therefore I have concluded that there needs to be several steps or tiers with a slightly different themes.

So these are now:
Tier 1: Conventional simplicity: Low drag low power low cost twin. Small wing but high aspect ratio. Compromise: Medium power to weight ratio required. Concept usable for personal aviation.
Potential outcomes: RC-models, UAVs, Private aircraft.
Budget: Shoe-string

Tier 2: Flying wing: Suitable for diesel power, series hybrid and other non-optimal power/weight ratio powerplants. Large wing. Compromise: Poor power to weight ratio is ok.
Potential outcome: Plane with long range and diesel economy. UAV applications possible.
Budget: Shoe-string, external funding possibly needed for the large craft

Tier 3: Ladder: Large aspect ratio, climb machine. Compromise: High power to weight ratio beneficial, has impact in fuel consumption. Interference drag from multi-fuselage configuration.
Budget: External funding required. Implementation requires substantial investments in infrastructure and machinery.

Tier 4: Scissor wing delta: Aircraft that are optimized for speed and altitude.
Budget: Requires substantial investments.

Tier 5: Will happen only if tier 1-4 succeed. Idea not announced. Not all of these will be guaranteed to produce real flying aircraft, these are just categorization for a family of concepts.