A FanWing Ltd Fanwing unmanned air vehicle has demonstrated that it can rotate at 1m (3ft). The Fanwing aircraft uses a bladed rotor turning on a horizontal axis, which acts as a thick wing.
Above: The short take off Fanwing flies during an April trial
This very short take off version is designed for urban operations where runway space would be very limited. The UAV, made from composite materials, has a 2kg (4.4lb) payload capability, combined wing/rotor span of 2.4m, a dry weight of 5.5kg, a 12kg maximum take off weight, a 1.2kW engine and a flight speed of 15.5kt (28.8km/h).
Its development goal is an 80min autonomous flight capability.
The England-based FanWing was set up in 1999 to develop blade wing technologies.
EHang’s EH216-S autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) has completed its first test flight using solid-state lithium batteries.
Chinese aerospace firm Air White Whale has assembled its first unmanned cargo aircraft – also the world’s largest – as it works towards eventual certification and delivery in 2026.
UK regulators have set out the steps needed to open the country’s airspace for widespread operation of uncrewed air systems (UAS) by 2027 to “maximise [their] economic and social benefits”.