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US Air Force Tests Hexa, A ‘Flying Car’ That Could Shuttle Troops Across War Zones By 2023
US Air Force tests Hexa, a ‘Flying Car’ that could shuttle troops across war zones by 2023.
The eVTOL has six landing feet, 18 propellors, as well as an electric vertical takeoff and landing system.
The first production model of Hexa, a vertical take-off and landing vehicle from LIFT AIRCRAFT, has been delivered for testing and airworthiness certification by the United States Air Force.
The Hexa is expected to be a good helper for coastal yachts and ships, due to its ability to fly at 15-minute intervals at low altitudes. The ‘Flying Car’ could also shuttle troops across war zones by 2023.
The lightweight 432-pound Electric Vertical TakeOff and Landing flight Vehicle (eVTOL) is the first fruit from the collaboration between the US Air Force and Texas-based LIFT Aircraft.
The eVTOL has six landing feet, 18 propellors, as well as an electric vertical takeoff and landing system.
While some refer to the new development as a flying car, the FAA has qualified it as an ultralight aircraft, so no pilot’s license is required to fly.
Usually, one hour of training is enough to learn how to manage it. So, anyone who has reached the age of 18, weighs less than 113 kg, and is up to 2 m tall, can become a pilot of this unusual car.
The stability of the aircraft is supported by an onboard computer – an autopilot with a triple redundancy system.
Based on the altitude, wind speed, and direction, the computer calculates the flight time and battery life. When the battery charge approaches a certain level, Hexa Lift Aircraft will automatically land at a safe designated location.
Takeoff and landing are carried out with a simple push of a button, and controllers and a set of sensors coordinate almost all movements instead of a person. When the pilot cannot cope with the joystick-“helm”, GPS-lock fixes the multicopter at a stable altitude or smoothly lowers it to the ground.
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