California-based JetPack Aviation’s Speeder VTOL has been selected to be a part of the AFWERX High Speed VTOL (HSVTOL) Concept Challenge, launched in partnership with the US Air Force (USAF) and US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
JetPack Aviation is one of three OEMs included in the 35 successful challengers. The companies were selected from a total of 218 submissions. The company made initial presentations to AFWERX representatives this week to highlight the capabilities of the Speeder, and its potential applications for military operations.
Powered by small, gimballed turbojet engines, the Speeder is designed to reach speeds approaching 300mph, with payload capability currently available only from considerably larger helicopter airframes. The Speeder’s footprint is also considerably reduced since it has no rotors, ducted fans, or propellers; this reduces/negates the need for specific ground infrastructure.
Companies that progress through the challenge rounds may become eligible for funding associated with research, development, and testing, and subsequently procurement contracts to produce and field aircraft to the USAF.
“We are extremely proud to have been invited to participate in the AFWERX Challenge,” said David Mayman, CEO of JetPack Aviation. “It demonstrates that developing the Speeder concept to deliver immediate, multi-purpose applications is relevant to today’s military forces. Selection for AFWERX is notoriously difficult and we can’t wait to showcase the versatile, scalable, capabilities of the Speeder, and the huge benefits it can bring to military operations and engagement, fire-fighting support, emergency extraction and theatre of combat environments,”
JetPack Aviation has completed flight trials with the first full scale Speeder – P1 prototype. Flight test of P1.5, the second full scale prototype, is expected to begin later in Q3-Q4 2021. Aircraft P2, featuring a fully formed body, small, field-removable wings, and forward canards, should fly from Q1/2 2022.
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