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Electric Vertical Take-Off Aircraft Successfully Tested By DARPA (newatlas.com)
Slashdot reader drunkdrone tipped us off to some big aviation news:
After several years of development DARPA has successfully completed flight-testing of one of the most novel, and odd-looking, aircraft designs we've seen in some time -- the sub-scale electric X-Plane. After calling for an innovative new approach to an aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, DARPA awarded its Phase 2 contract to Aurora Flight Sciences in early 2016. Aurora's design includes 24 electric ducted fans, 18 on the main wings and six on the smaller front canards. Both the main wings and the canards are designed to tilt upwards for vertical takeoff before rotating to the horizontal for regular flight... The prototype was also used to trial a number of other technologies DARPA has been developing, such as 3D-printed plastics for flight structures and aerodynamic surfaces.
The article includes video of the test flight, and reportedly the aircraft also successfully tested "sustained hovering." DARPA will now begin officially developing a full-scale aircraft, which has been designated "the XV-24A."
The article includes video of the test flight, and reportedly the aircraft also successfully tested "sustained hovering." DARPA will now begin officially developing a full-scale aircraft, which has been designated "the XV-24A."
So while TFA says the full size version will go 300 knots (345mph) and be able to carry 40% of its 12,000 lb. weight as payload, it doesn't mention the range.
If it's at all decent, the implications of these VTOL aircraft (with better batteries) should be obvious to all. Coupled with a always on autopilot (with the only user control being redirection or emergency landing) it could transform commuting (assuming a really good air traffic control system).
The world is really looking like a blade runner future complete with constant precipitation from climate change, genetically modified humanimals from CRISPR-cas9, off world colonies from Space X and now VTOLs. We're even (especially) headed for the tremendous inequalities in wealth (also in Elysium and Avatar).
Let's just hope this isn't a prelude towards a Terminator or even a Matrix future because I doubt there will be any reason for the machines to keep us around (no bio-catalyzed cold fusion I'm afraid).