Yakovlev VVP-6 multi-rotor flying platform - photo

[Altair]

The Yakovlev VVP-6 was a Soviet experimental multi-rotor surface-to-air missile platform from the 1960s. It never progressed beyond the model stage.




Previously:

Piasecki PA-97 Helistat hybrid aircraft - photo
Kamov Ka-22 compound helicopter - photo
Lockheed XH-51 experimental helicopter - GIF
American Helicopter XH-26 tip jet helicopter - photo and video
Firestone XR-9B experimental helicopter - photos

[ductape]

Interesting that they would consider using that type of missile for an air-to-air or air-to-ground situation. Maybe it was a case of use what you have. The Soviet Union was known for doing that.

[Frank S]

I don't see much wrong with using a 6 rotor design aircraft for such a weapons platform providing the missiles are in a rack or magazine system where they would be loaded from the top and ejected from the bottom this way, they could carry anywhere from 18 to 36 missiles.
Drop launching is the only thing that makes and sense, imagine igniting the 2 forward missiles while they are still in the cradle Not pretty.

[bruce.desertrat]

imagine igniting the 2 forward missiles while they are still in the cradle Not pretty.

Oh I think it would be a really amazing fireworks display...but controlling a 6 rotor craft with 1960's tech would be...interesting.

[Frank S]

Oh I think it would be a really amazing fireworks display...but controlling a 6 rotor craft with 1960's tech would be...interesting.

Actually it may have been much easier to control than you think. Since most multirotor aircraft employ fixed blades Speed direction and lift are done by varying the rotational speed of the individual rotors, the 2 center units may have been more or less a near constant RPM except to ascending or descending. Forward travel would be nose down, turning left or right would mean reducing the RPM of the forward rotor on the side of the direction you wanted to turn, while increasing the speed of the opposite rear rotor, this would bank you into the turn of your choice. This could accomplished with throttle limiters connected to the peddles
Since internal combustion engines love to be run at a relative narrow RPM range rotor speeds could actually be controlled by being connected to the engine by a fluid coupling