'Flying Car' Company Picks Up Defense Work | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-04.22.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.16.24

Airborne-FlightTraining-04.17.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-04.18.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.19.24

Join Us At 0900ET, Friday, 4/10, for the LIVE Morning Brief.
Watch It LIVE at
www.airborne-live.net

Wed, Dec 01, 2010

'Flying Car' Company Picks Up Defense Work

Terrafugia To Work With AAI Corporation On DARPA Transformer (TX) Project

DARPA has been talking for some time about developing a four person flyable and roadable vehicle it describes as a 'flying Humvee', a project with a budget of about $65 million. Terrafugia, the developer of the Transition Roadable Aircraft, or 'Flying Car', is the largest subcontractor to one of two winning teams, led by AAI Corporation and comprised of other Textron companies.


Terrafugia Roadable LSA

The vehicle, known as the Transformer, or TX, would function like a Humvee on the ground while also providing helicopter-like mobility. The result will be "unprecedented capability to avoid traditional and asymmetrical threats while avoiding road obstructions," according to a DARPA announcement. Intended missions include medical evacuation, avoidance of improvised explosive devices, remote resupply, and Special Forces insertion. The vehicle will be able to travel 280 miles by land and air, using vertical take-off and landing to increase access to difficult terrain, and automating flight controls to enable operation by non-pilots.

Phase I of the five year, three-phase program will focus on conceptual design of both a prototype and a production vehicle. Phases II and III will focus on the design and manufacture of the prototype, which could be ready as early as first quarter 2015.

The work calls for Terrafugia's expertise in drive and flight integration, deployable flight surfaces, and automotive crash safety for an aircraft. Chief Executive Officer Carl Dietrich says, "This DARPA program effectively leverages Terrafugia's core competencies and enables us to grow from a pure GA company to an emerging aerospace company with both general aviation and defense development programs. Our strong team of Terrafugia engineers with recent experience designing and building a dual purpose vehicle will bring a unique perspective to the TX program that is highly valued by DARPA and the other contractors on our TX team."


File Photo

The TX program represents an opportunity for Terrafugia to rededicate members of its engineering team as its primary business, the Transition Light Sport Aircraft Program, moves forward on schedule from detailed design to fabrication, testing and production in the second half of 2011.

FMI: www.terrafugia.com

Advertisement

More News

SpaceX to Launch Inversion RAY Reentry Vehicle in Fall

Inversion to Launch Reentry Vehicle Demonstrator Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 This fall, the aerospace startup Inversion is set to launch its Ray reentry demonstrator capsule aboard Spac>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (04.23.24)

"We are excited to accelerate the adoption of electric aviation technology and further our journey towards a sustainable future. The agreement with magniX underscores our commitmen>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (04.20.24)

"The journey to this achievement started nearly a decade ago when a freshly commissioned Gentry, driven by a fascination with new technologies and a desire to contribute significan>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.20.24)

Aero Linx: OX5 Aviation Pioneers Each year a national reunion of OX5 Aviation Pioneers is hosted by one of the Wings in the organization. The reunions attract much attention as man>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (04.21.24)

"Our driven and innovative team of military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily, ensuring our nation is ready today and tomorrow." Source: General Duke Richardson, AFMC>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC