Vertical Aerospace, whose Valo aircraft is expected to enter service from 2030, said it was in high-level discussions about potential orders from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Pentagon.
Stuart Simpson, the start-up’s chief executive, said the Valo was well-suited to fulfilling logistics requirements on the battlefield. It could also be weaponised for a combat role or used for transferring personnel between Royal Navy vessels.
Discussions with a number of Western militaries concern a hybrid version of the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVOL) craft, which would use a small gas turbine to recharge its batteries.
Mr Simpson said the hybrid aircraft would still be able to land in near silence, while doubling its potential payload to more than a ton.
‘He said: “We are having discussions right at the top of the house with the military. We’ve got some fantastic connections both here and across the pond. We talk to all the forces at a very senior level.
“For battlefield logistics, you can take off silently, cruise in near silence and then land in silence. At cruising altitude, the gas turbine is so small you can barely hear it.”
The aircraft could also be flown autonomously, without a pilot, Mr Simpson said.
The Valo’s battery packs could be used to power electrical equipment on the front line as an alternative to diesel generators.
Vertical Aerospace claims the rival eVTOLs being developed by California-based Joby and Archer are less suited to a battlefield environment, arguing they are too small to be refitted with hybrid engines.’
Read the full article…
https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/ministry-defence-plots-flying-taxis-090000383.html
