USAF Backs Valkyrie's High-Speed, Amphibious EVTOL Jet

Reno-based Valkyrie Systems Aerospace has received a research grant from the US Air Force to further develop its remarkable HoverJet Guardian concept, which combines electric VTOL and high-speed jet cruise with amphibious and hovercraft capabilities, Loz Blain reported for New Atlas.

Photo Insert: The Valkyrie amphibious EVTOL Hoverjet Guardian Concept

The USAF's AFWERX High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) concept challenge sees the military throwing the floor open to a range of private companies in search of ideas that'll eventually lead to next-gen VTOL aircraft capable of going a lot quicker than current VTOL machines like the V-22 Osprey.

Valkyrie's HoverJet Guardian concept certainly seems to fit the bill. It appears to be a powerful, optionally-piloted jet aircraft with an electric VTOL system built in. The VTOL system appears to use a quadcopter layout, with four props (or perhaps eight mounted coaxially) hiding in holes in its fat wings.

These get it off the ground in a relatively civilized fashion, but then a pair of Pratt & Whitney 545c turbofan engines take over, adding a combined 8,200 pounds of horizontal thrust to the mix.

The result, claims Valkyrie, is a cruise speed of 340 mph (547 km/h), a transonic top sprint speed of 700 mph (1,127 km/h), and a whopping 15 hours of endurance at altitudes up to 40,000 feet (12,192 m).

This is no small bird. Measuring 24 x 30 x 6 ft (7.3 x 9.1 x 1.8 m), it'll weigh 4,200 lb (1,905 kg) empty. Add fuel, a pilot, and/or up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) of cargo, and that little VTOL system will have to lift the Guardian at a maximum takeoff weight of 12,000 lb (5,443 kg).

That's considerably heavier, say than the Joby S4, which is said to be around 8,820 lb (4,000 kg), and it uses fewer, smaller propellers. So those props are going to have to work hard. On the other hand, since it'll run primarily on jet fuel, energy storage won't be an issue at all, and the electric systems can be tuned for high power rather than efficiency.

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