The race to build a flying vehicle just got a bit more interesting. The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has proceeded ahead with their decision of making a flying military vehicle. They have selected 2 companies to go ahead with the development of their machine known as the TX-a fully automated four-person vehicle that can drive like a car and then take off and fly like an aircraft to avoid roadside bombs.

Lockheed Martin and AAI Corp., a unit of Textron Systems, are currently in negotiations with DARPA for the first stage of this project. DARPA has not announced the official winners yet. Many defense companies are in the race of making this revolutionary product.

DARPA officials had initially said they weren’t interested in a traditional rotary-wing aircraft, though they might consider a vehicle if the rotor was shrouded. But they have gone ahead and approved a rotor based aircraft for 1 of the 2 winning submissions.

AAI’s winning concept does not have a shrouded rotor.T he company, which produces the Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle, is basing its proposal in part on the slowed-rotor/compound concept, a technology that uses rotor blades heavily weighted in the tips, or high inertia. The rotor provides lift on takeoff, and then as it gains speed, the rotor slows down and the wings provide lift.

Lockheed Martin gave no information on their submission but rumors say that it might combine aspects of the company’s Joint Tactical Light Vehicle, a follow on the Humvee, with a ducted fan propulsion system that it would use to fly.

These projects are still in their initial stages & it will take time for them to turn into reality. Initial funding for the projects is close to $40 million each. If all goes well, the day is not far away when we see a flying military vehicle & slowly the concept will spread to passenger vehicles as well! The future is here!

Source – Popular Mechanics