Jetoptera is developing a new aircraft that glides faster than commercial jetliners by utilizing a unique wing design.
Jetoptera does not use propellers to generate thrust like conventional aircraft. (Image: Jetoptera)
Jetoptera, an advanced vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft without propellers, developed by the company of the same name in Seattle, has demonstrated the capability to reach speeds of 0.8 Mach (988 km/h) during testing, making it faster than the Boeing Dreamliner and twice as fast as tilt-rotor designs. The company shared this data after completing its fourth Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with the U.S. Air Force, as reported by Interesting Engineering on January 17.
Instead of using electric compressors, the company employs gas turbine engines, directing exhaust through a fluidic thrust system (FPS). Compressed air is channeled through small slits around the interior surface of the hollow thrust device. According to Jetoptera, this system provides over 10% more thrust and uses 50% less fuel compared to small jet turbine engines. It is also 30% lighter and significantly less mechanically complex than propeller jet turbine engines. Jetoptera’s design is also up to 25% quieter than similarly sized thrust engines.
Jetoptera states that it has fabricated a small-scale model of its design under the AFWERX HSVTOL program. This program brings together 11 companies to participate in designing the next generation of military VTOL aircraft, which could achieve much higher performance than any existing models on the market. The small-scale model is currently being tested in a wind tunnel and is expected to reach speeds of Mach 0.8 (988 km/h).
The aircraft design will undergo evaluation over the next six months. Jetoptera hopes to operate a test version by 2025.
