A Prototype of DARPA’s Badass Vertical Take-Off Aircraft Can Already Fly

originally this yr , DARPAunveiledits latest concept design for a new erect take - off and landing place craftsmanship . Now , a working plate prototype has already made its first successful flight .

Aurora Flight Sciences has been working on the new perpendicular take - off aircraft — which is called LightningStrikeaccording to The Verge — since it was awarded the 2nd phase of the design contract . What you see in the gif above and picture below is really a one - 5th musical scale model , but it ably demonstrates that the new craftiness will be able to vanish . Even if it does look rather … strange .

The full - size of it version is expect to use a 4,000 horsepower engine — in reality the same one as is in the survive VTOL craft the V-22 Osprey — to produce 3 megawatts of electricity . In number , that will be used to power 24 sports fan dotted along the airframe to produce thrust . That should push it through the skies at up to 400 knots , with the ability to take cargo that make up 40 pct of its expected 10,000 - lbf. total weight .