Using an adaptation of the same technology as the commercial aircraft, GBA is offering a gyroplane solution to meet the US Army's need for a vertical take-off and landing heavy lift transport. GBA's concept was originally in response to a Department of Defense study contract announced in 2003 to examine different concepts for meeting the Army's need for an Advanced Maneuver Transport (AMT). In July of 2005, GBA joined the Georgia Institute of Technology Team in a Joint Heavy Lift Proposal for the US Army. The GBA Heavy Lift GyroLifter concept is based on the successful flight characteristics of the Fairey Rotodyne. The proposal, extensively researched by Georgia Tech, was not, regrettably, awarded one of five contracts worth roughly $3 million for Concept Design Analysis development. However, in the debriefing by Army and NASA personnel following the decision, GBA was encouraged by the reception our proposal had received and by the potential for future participation in the project. The proposal called for using a C130 Hercules as a test vehicle, fitting it with a tip-jet powered rotor designed by the Team. GBA continues to promote the gyrodyne concept and is pleased to have had the support of Georgia Tech, Shafer Corporation and Dancila LLC. Lockheed Martin, manufacturer of the Hercules, and Rolls-Royce, manufacturer of the engines in the C130 had pledged support had the proposal been chosen.

The GBA GyroLifter could rapidly be made available as an interim fast, long range VTOL transport capable of carrying large loads of troops and equipment long distances without the need for runways at either end of the mission. This aircraft would, in speed, range, economy, reliability, mission readiness, and cargo/troop hauling capacity, be unequaled by any aircraft capable of taking off and landing vertically (and able to hover) that is now available, could timely be made available, or is planned. A variant of this design could be the critical multi-role aircraft necessary for an effective seabasing strategy for the military service. Other military variants of this gyrodyne technology could also be developed, including: large two man gunships; small, light observation and courier aircraft; and VTOL UAVs.

In addition to its uses as proposed for an AMT, the GyroLifter could also serve in a wildfire suppression role. Using this aircraft in a “dual use” role as an aerial fire fighting vehicle was first suggested by William B. Scott, Rocky Mountain Bureau Chief for Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine (AW&ST). Mr. Scott, in his article from the November 3, 2003 issue of AW&ST, notes that the fast moving fires in Southern California underscore the importance of a timely “initial attack” to preclude heavy losses of life and property. Because of its high speed response time and ability to fly low and slow safely, the GBA GyroLifter fitted with a water cannon could fight fires day or night as an initial attack aircraft. Its 3,000 gallon tank provides ample water/retardant for accurately and quickly dousing spot-fires before they become large uncontrolled burns.

The GBA GyroLifter Monsoon would give the organizations charged with fighting fires in our national forests what they prefer: the “on site” quick-turnaround capabilities and low speed water/retardant drop accuracy of a helicopter, with the reliability, load carrying capacity, high speed deployment, and low operating cost of a fixed wing fire bomber.

The GBA Monsoon could land on the scene, close to fire fighting operations, to refill with retardant, or hover over nearby lakes and other available bodies of water, drop a snorkel line, re-supply itself with water, then quickly return for the next run. The high speed pumps can load its capacity of 3,000 gallons of water in 90 seconds. Round trip sorties would take a fraction of the time that fixed wing options now need. Since the water drop apparatus can be easily removed and reinstalled, the GBA Monsoon can double as a personnel carrier for inserting or extracting large numbers of firefighters and their supplies, at virtually any location. This also makes the aircraft available for other cargo/passenger operations when not needed in its fire fighting roles.

With its water cannon, this aircraft would also be useful in fighting fires in high rise office buildings. In the case of the World Trade Center disaster, two GBA Monsoon with water cannons could have sprayed 6,000 gallons of water into those fires every seven minutes, refilling from the Hudson river.

GBA's GyroLifter concept has garnered much attention in many of the world's top aviation magazines including: Aviation Week & Space Technology, Air International, Defense & Public Service Helicopter and Flight International. Popular Mechanics and New Scientist magazines have also published articles on the potential of the GyroLifter.

In November, 2005, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) selected a GBA-led team to design a proof of concept high speed, long range, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft designed for use in Combat Search and Rescue roles. This modern rotorcraft, named the “Heliplane” by DARPA, could be the next generation rotor wing aircraft, meeting economy and performance goals not considered achievable by any other type of VTOL aircraft.

GBA’s contract, a $6.4 million award to develop the preliminary design and perform key technology demonstrations, is Phase One of the potential multi-year $40 million four phase program. The Heliplane is designed to exploit GBA’s gyrodyne technology, offering the VTOL capability of a helicopter, the fast forward flight of an airplane, and the safety, simplicity and reliability of a GBA gyroplane.

GBA and DARPA recently completed a system requirements review on the rotor and are now involved in meeting the Milestone 5 objectives in Phase One of the project. The GBA team includes Georgia Tech, Adam Aircraft, Williams International and a highly renowned team of aerospace consultants. On the Government Team under DARPA, the GBA team is receiving important support from NASA Ames and the Army’s AFDD team at NASA Ames Research Center in addition to leading Rotorcraft Technologists who for decades led much of this nation’s advanced rotor-wing aircraft development efforts.