Â
Unnamed Cargo Drone
Ravatia Aerospace
USA(?)
www.ravatiaerospace.com
While little is known about this company, it appears the company is located in the USA and is developing an electric or hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) heavy-lift cargo drone for urban air cargo service.
The unnamed drone is an autonomous long-range heavy-lift VTOL cargo aircraft with a sleek futuristic design. The fuselage has a non-traditional horizontal fuselage, the fuselage is vertical. As of August 2021, the company doesn’t actually state their aircraft flies with a vertical fuselage but a short teaser video shows the aircraft taking off in a vertical position and then continuing to fly with its fuselage in a vertical position.
The aircraft is powered by two tilting ducted fans allowing the aircraft to lift off vertically and transition to forward flight. This type of concealed propulsion assembly (ducted fans) makes the aircraft safer for ground crews during takeoff and landing and when parked on the ground. The ducted fans are located under the wings and are close to the fuselage. The aircraft has a fixed mid wing which increases the efficiency of the aircraft and extends its flight range.
The cargo is loaded at the top of the aircraft and has sealed doors to keep the aircraft as efficient as possible during flight. The aircraft has four retractable landing legs. According to Ravatia Aerospace, the aircraft can fly in bad weather with heavy wind and rain.
The company has also stated the aircraft is scalable. As of August 2021, no word has been given on when prototypes or possible serial production will take place.
Specifications:
- Aircraft type: Long range heavy-lift electric or hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft
- Piloting: Autonomous
- Capacity: Cargo only
- Cruise speed: Unknown
- Range: Unknown
- Flight Time: Unknown
- Maximum payload: Unknown
- Propellers: 2 ducted fans
- Electric Motors: Unknown
- Power source: Batteries or hybrid-electric power plant
- Wings: Has mid wings
- Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
- Landing gear: Four retractable landing struts
- Safety features: Concealed propulsion makes the aircraft safer for ground crews
Resources:
- Ravatia Aerospace website
