The U.S. Air Force will test a prototype of the futuristic Jetoptera flying vehicle, which could replace military helicopters
The U.S. Air Force has found a replacement for helicopters. It could become a flying vehicle of the Jetoptera company.
Here's What We Know
The U.S. Air Force is already ready to begin testing a prototype aeromobile. The aircraft is equipped with a liquid propulsion system. Jetoptera has patented the technology and called it bladeless propellers on steroids.
The vehicle needs compressed air from a turbocharger to create a vortex that increases airflow through the vehicle's aerodynamic circuit. By the way, the aircraft does not yet have a commercial name, and the prototype appears as J-2000. Additional engines are used to increase power.
The J-2000 is a four times smaller version of the future airmobile. It can carry a cargo of up to 360 kg and has a cruising range of 320 km. In the near future, Jetoptera plans to release a new prototype called J-4000 with a top speed of 370 km/h.
The manufacturer states that the already mentioned technology of bladeless propellers on steroids can be scaled up, which will allow the production of propulsion systems for aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of more than 4000 kg. The current prototype runs on gasoline, but in the future the company wants to use electric engines. To do so, it needs to solve the problem of energy conservation density, because the airmobile will need batteries of 1500 W*h, which is 300% higher than current standards.
Source: FutureFlight
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