Orion HALL
The Orion HALL (High Altitude, Long Loiter) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is currently
under development and represents a tremendous leap in (UAS) capabilities.
Aurora Flight Sciences has combined its unmatched high altitude experience with
commercially proven technologies to develop the Orion HALL (High Altitude, Long
Loiter) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), a liquid hydrogen fueled high altitude platform
enabling extreme persistence (>100 hours) for military and civilian applications.
Military Utility
Aurora Flight Sciences is under contract to the U.S. Army/SMDC for Orion HALL, a
technology demonstrator UAS. Aurora primes a team that includes Boeing as a strategic
partner. Aurora and Boeing have teamed since 2004 on a Boeing-led concept definition
study of a twin-engine, larger, longer endurance UAS.
Orion HALL solves a critical joint warfighting problem: The need for extreme persistence,
enabling continuous communication, better Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
(ISR) capabilities, and greater operational efficiency.
Earth Science Applications
Because Orion HALL is powered by commercially developed and proven technologies,
it is more capable, lower risk and more affordable than competing hydrogen powered
aircraft concepts. This affordability will make it practical for large research
centers, universities and civilian agencies such as NOAA to own and operate small
fleets of near space unmanned assets that can maintain true persistence over an
area of interest.
Orion HALL is the ideal platform for long-dwell, high resolution meteorological
observations. Its high altitude capability enables it to fly above weather patterns.
Its endurance enables Orion HALL to reach and monitor remote areas. Data collected
by Orion HALL’s sensors will increase forecasters’ understanding of hurricane development
and the factors that influence a hurricane’s path. This knowledge will refine storm
path prediction methods and increase advance warning, giving citizens in the storm’s
path more time to evacuate.
When a natural disaster strikes, Orion HALL’s interchangeable payloads will enable
the aircraft to take on a new mission: disaster response. Orion HALL aircraft will
orbit a disaster area providing critical communications links and ISR infrastructure
that will help coordinate rescue efforts. Infrared and electro-optical sensors will
provide imagery that will help locate survivors and provide an unprecedented view
of the devastation that will help disaster recovery officials quickly assess the
scope of the disaster and allocate resource to the hardest hit areas. Because Orion
HALL will operate above 65,000 it will not require deconfliction with civilian and
military air traffic miles beneath it.
ORION HALL Vehicle Specifications:
- Wing span 132 ft / 40.2 M
- Length 57 ft / 17.4 M
- Height 21 ft / 6.4 M
- GTOW 7000 lbs / 3175 kg
- Payload 400 lbs / 181 kg
- Endurance at 65,000 ft (19.8 km) 100 hours
- Endurance at 45,000 ft (13.7 km) 160 hours