BUILT FOR SCALE
The ARMADA is a hybrid VTOL platform, with internal cargo bay, that delivers the vertical agility of a rotary-wing system and the speed, range, and endurance of a fixed-wing aircraft in a single field-maintainable airframe. Its joined-wing embedded-rotor architecture integrates four large-diameter lift rotors directly within the wing structure, enabling vertical flight without the mechanical complexity of tilt wings, or tilt rotors.
Unmatched payload versatility
Simple to manufacture and deploy
Long endurance at increased speeds
The efficient propulsion arrangement and clean aerodynamics allow the Armada to haul payloads efficiently. Modular payloads can be carried in the internal bay or on wing hardpoints offering unmatched flexibility.
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• VTOL
• Four dedicated lift rotors provide vertical thrust
• Differential thrust controls attitude
• Transition
• Drive rotors begin pushing the aircraft horizontally
• Lift transfers from rotors to wings
• Control shifts from thrust vectoring to aerodynamic surfaces
• Horizontal Flight
• Wings provide aerodynamic lift
• Lift rotors are de-energized and stowed aft to minimize drag
• Aircraft operates as a conventional fixed-wing platform
The key advantage of this configuration is mechanical simplicity. No pitching or rotation of components is require to transition from vertical to forward flight.
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• 9:8:1 Wind-Tunnel L/D vs. ~4.1 helicopter
• 12:1 CFD-Validated Design Variant
• Project Max Lift to Drag Ratio ~15:1
• Horizontal Thrust to Weight 2:1
• 1.6 Disk Loading lbs/ft^2
• Lift to Drag 12-1
• Disk Loading
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The Armada is a Lift + Cruise configuration that utilizes a highly structurally efficient joined wing embedded rotor architecture. Large lift rotors allow for efficient hover while dedicated drive rotors allow for increased speed and efficient cruise.
How is this better than other Lift + Cruise configurations (Elroy Air).
02 / ARTICLEDesigned to be Simple
• Large embedded lift rotors provide efficient vertical lift
• Joined wing arrangement provided high structural stiffness, reducing airframe weight
• Pusher propellers provide efficient and fast forward flight
03 / ARTICLEEnabling Technology
• Joined wing embedded motor provides high structural efficiency and stiffness in lifting surfaces
• The large, hollow motor shaft allows for wires and control rods to be routed internally, reducing aerodynamic drag
• Internal channel enables wire routing through the motor / wing structure
• The large central shaft acts as an efficient heat sink, reducing motor temperature
• Fewer and larger bearings are used to support the motor shaft. This helps dissipate heat and lowers bearing temperatures while in use
Built for the Mission. Designed to Adapt.
01 / Go Where the Mission Requires
VTOL, STOL and CTOL capability expands where Armada can operate—supporting missions from tactical environments to search, rescue and remote operations.
02 / Scale to the Requirement
A common joined-wing, embedded-rotor architecture translates across platform sizes—from compact systems built for portability to larger variants designed for greater payload and range.
03 / One System. More Possibilities.
Shared flight architecture, ground control and maintenance allow Armada to scale across missions without reinventing the platform for every application.
04 / ARTICLEBuilt Around
the Mission
• Modular internal payload bay.
• External wing hardpoints for additional payload capacity.
• Referenced configuration: 18 lb maximum payload / 6 × 30 × 9 in internal bay.
• Hot-swappable bay configurations support different mission roles.
• Support for lethal and non-lethal mission payloads, sensors, and smaller UAS deployment.
05 / ARTICLEDesigned to Scale
• Common joined-wing embedded-rotor architecture translates across sizes.
• Compact ~3 × 3 ft concept for portability / discretion.
• Baseline ~6 × 6 ft proof-of-concept / proposed configuration.
• Larger ~9 × 9 ft variant for greater payload / range and tactical logistics.
• Common training, ground control, and maintenance approach reduces fielding complexity.
Executive Summary
Caelivore has developed the Autonomous Reconnaissance and Munitions Aerial Delivery Aircraft (ARMADA), a bomber-class small UAS designed to deliver lethal and non-lethal effects at the tactical edge. The ARMADA combines the aerodynamic efficiency of a fixed-wing platform with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability and is part of a family of systems built on an embedded rotor, joined-wing architecture that significantly improves structural and aerodynamic efficiency.
The ARMADA is built upon Caelivore's patented joined-wing airframe architecture (U.S. Patents 11,738,868 B2 and 12,296,953 B2), which integrates lift rotors directly within the wing structure via a proprietary embedded outrunner motor system. This configuration delivers exceptional structural stiffness, substantially reduced drag relative to conventional VTOL platforms, and a lift-to-drag ratio that far exceeds traditional VTOL and hybrid systems. The result is a compact, field-maintainable aircraft that approaches the performance of both conventional fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms in a single system.
Caelivore's design philosophy was directly informed by capability gaps identified by U.S. Army Special Forces personnel operating tactical UAS in theater. The ARMADA was purpose-built to address those shortcomings and is well positioned to support the Army's PBAS Bomber Family of Systems objectives: extended range, increased payload capacity, and greater mission flexibility.
02 / ARTICLEUs vs. Competition
Every VTOL approach before Armada has forced a trade-off between hover and cruise.
• Multicopters are simple and cheap but sacrifice speed, range, and endurance entirely
• Tilt-rotors carry their oversized hover rotors into cruise, adding weight and complexity at every transition
• Conventional lift-plus-cruise designs haul additional booms and struts as dead weight and increased wetted area through the entire mission
Armada's joined-wing embedded-rotor architecture gives each flight regime its own dedicated propulsion: large lift rotors for efficient hover, stowed and de-energized once cruise begins. No tilting mechanisms, no dead weight, no compromise.
Devour the Sky.
