Draft:Yamaha R-50
The Yamaha R-50 is an unmanned helicopter developed by the Japanese Yamaha Motor Company.
In 1980, Japan's Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Aviation Association was in the process of developing a system known as Remote Control Aerial Spraying System "RCASS", which was later handed off to Yamaha to develop.[1] The coaxial-rotor RCASS led Yamaha in 1985 to begin development on a prototype single-rotor vehicle, completed in June 1986.[1] Ongoing problems with the RCASS led Yamaha to prioritize work on this design, designated the R-50 Aero Robot.[1]
The first model of the R-50, dubbed the "L09" was completed in 1987, and was able to crop-dust with a payload of around 15 kilograms at a demonstration flight later that year.[1] The R-50 was the world's first unmanned crop-dusting helicopter.[2] Beginning in 1988, agricultural schools in Japan began to use the R-50, and in 1991, after the Ministry of Agriculture passed the guidelines for training in relation to the craft, the R-50 began to be used for training purposes and wa first commercially marketed in Japan.[2][3]
Twenty R-50s were produced, and all were monitored heavily.[1] The R-50 was developed with the intentions of being able to spray pesticides on orchards, farms and other areas abundant in crops.[1] It was also used in forest and on golf courses, where the R-50 was useful for spraying pine trees from damaging insects.[1] The R-50 was successful in its' initial purpose, and was used heavily to spray pesticides on crops like rice and barley.[1] The R-50 also replaced labour which had been done by hand, and cut down labour costs.[2] It was also used for aerial photography purposes,[2][4] and heavily cut down costs to take aerial photographs.[2]
The R-50 also allowed higher-value crops to be grown on largely hilly landscapes, and the craft was able to spray pesticides and other nutrients on these crops.[2]
The R-50 has a streamlined design, with two skids being attached to the craft by four legs. The fuselage is of conventional pod-and-boom design. On the tail are two horizontal stabilizers that face slightly downward, and a tail rotor which is positioned to the left of the craft. Under the tail rotor is a ventral fin. Above the main body is a single rotor with a relatively large mast, two blades, and a stabilizer bar. The R-50 is powered by a liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, 98cc, 12 hp engine, which is located in the main pod.[2] It has a 20 kg (44 pound) maximum payload and in 2021, it cost between $150,000-$200,000.[4] In 1995, the Yamaha Attitude Control System (YACS) was introduced onto the R-50.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Development of the R-50 Industrial-Use Unmanned Helicopters
- ^ a b c d e f g Hanlon 2004
- ^ a b Markofski, Steve (April 18, 2015?). "Introduction to the Yamaha RMax Remotely Piloted Helicopter and Review of U.S. Activities" (PDF). Maine.gov. U.S. Government?. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|publication-date=(help) - ^ a b Weird Stuff! The High Flying Yamaha YZ250
Bibliography[edit]
- "Development of the R-50 Industrial-Use Unmanned Helicopters". Shizuoka: Yamaha Motor Co. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- Hanlon, Mike (4 June 2004). "Yamaha's RMAX - the worlds most advanced non-military UAV". New Atlas. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- "Weird Stuff! The High Flying Yamaha YZ250". MXA Motorcross Action. Valencia, California: Hi-Torque Media. October 22, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- Markofski, Steve (April 18, 2015?). "Introduction to the Yamaha RMax Remotely Piloted Helicopter and Review of U.S. Activities" (PDF). Maine.gov. Maine?. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)