Called the Greased Lightning, or GL-10, the prototype made a successful vertical takeoff and transition to horizontal flight. One of the major challenges for aviation engineers is combining the vertical takeoff and landing and hover capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. It does so by rotating their engine nacelles while keeping their wings fixed because it's mechanically simpler and reduces crosswind drag. However, the GL-10 is an unmanned hybrid-electric aircraft that uses 10 electric motors for liftoff and NASA believes that a tilt wing is the better option for handling so many nacelles at once. According to the space agency, the GL-10 can stay 24 hours in horizontal flight and is described as being as quiet as a petrol lawn mower. A much larger version could one day carry one to four passengers. The GL-10 will be exhibited in Atlanta from May 4 to 7, then will go on to be tested.
No comments:
Post a Comment