Diamond Hero

The Diamond Hero is an Austrian helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle under development by Diamond Aircraft Industries and introduced at the Aero show held in Friedrichshafen in April 2012. The aircraft builds on Diamond's experience building airborne sensor systems based on the Diamond DA42.

Design and development
The aircraft was designed to be an autonomous UAV that incorporates artificial intelligence and will able to exercise its own flight judgment. For instance in the event of an engine failure the aircraft will be able to examine the terrain below it and pick the best location for an autorotational landing. Diamond Aircraft CEO Christian Dries said of the aircraft on 19 April 2012, "it's a little bit beyond a regular unmanned aircraft."

The aircraft is powered by two Austro Engine E55 rotary engines and will be able to lift a 250 lb sensor payload for 6.5 hours of flight endurance or four hours of hover endurance. It also has a recovery parachute.