Q Branch - Sikorsky Cypher

Sikorsky Aircraft developed the Cypher ducted-rotor VTOL craft in the early 1990s to meet a US close-range UAV requirement. The Cypher combines Sikorsky's co-axial advancing-blade concept rotor system and Fantail ducted tail-rotor technology in a doughnut-shaped shrouded-rotor UAV designed to lift a 23 kg. payload.

A 2 m. diameter demonstrator vehicle of 115 kg. gross weight underwent tethered hover testing in February 1993. The vehicle was then grounded for installation of a more powerful mission processor, with more tethered tests in front of a wind generator capable of generating wind speeds of over 50-60 knots. This was followed by free flights.

Sikorsky is interested in developing commercial roles for the Cypher, using the safety advantages of a shrouded-rotor design as one selling point. The company says its non-defence roles outnumber potential military missions for the UAV, including counter-narcotics, ordnance disposal, forestry, law enforcement and search and rescue.

A publicity movie was briefly circulated in the mid-1990s showing what appeared to be the Cypher development demonstrating its capability of shadowing an individual person in an urban-design demonstration range scenario.

The Cypher is capable of a speed of 80 kts. and claims an endurance of 3 hours.