Aircraft
From autonomous flying-taxis to experimental hypersonic craft, check out what's new in the world of aviation.
LATEST NEWS
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Airbus Helicopters’ super-fast, efficient Racer makes maiden flight
April 25, 2024Airbus Helicopters has flown its high-speed concept copter, which dashes 50% faster than other commercial copters, for the first time. The 249-mph (216-kt, 400-km/h) Racer demonstrator is not only fast, but consumes up to 25% less fuel. -
Video: Beta Alia nails first manned eVTOL transition to cruise flight
April 23, 2024Vermont's Beta Technologies has emerged a leader in the eVTOL space, and it's now become the first to perform a successful transition – from helicopter-style hovering to airplane-like cruising – with a pilot on board. -
Video: Boom's XB-1 cleared for supersonic test flights
April 17, 2024Boom has been given permission to go supersonic by the US FAA. The first-ever Special Flight Authorization (SFA) to Exceed Mach means the company's XB-1 prototype will be allowed to break the sound barrier during its test flights. -
Video: Odd Spanish eVTOL demonstrates fractal propulsion system
April 09, 2024How did we miss this one? This Spanish eVTOL has been flying in prototype form for a number of years now, using a unique 4x4-prop FlyFree tilting mechanism designed to keep the cabin level – and a new five-seat design takes things up a level. -
6x6 eVTOL-launcher adventure van edges closer to a new travel reality
April 04, 2024One of the most outrageous sci-fi vehicles we've ever seen is moving toward a 2025 debut. This electric six-wheel off-roader can stop and deploy a two-seat eVTOL aircraft, for unstoppable multi-mode adventure travel on an entirely new level. -
Video: World's first Jet Suit Grand Prix delivers thrills – and spills
April 03, 2024The first ever jet suit race has been held in Dubai. Racers each wrestled the thrust from seven 130-hp jet turbines to levitate and negotiate a course in spectacular head-to-head duels – and the event delivered the sport's first jet suit crash. -
Quarterhorse hypersonic aircraft program prepares to fly Mk1 prototype
April 02, 2024Fast-tracking the hypersonic era, Hermeus has rolled out the next prototype of its program, to create a family of aircraft that can fly beyond Mach 5. The Quarterhorse Mk 1 is set to fly later this year, testing its high-speed takeoffs and landings. -
Video: Supersonic drone flies with revolutionary detonation engine
April 01, 2024A supersonic drone that will be propelled by a revolutionary new engine has taken to the skies for the first time. When Venus Aerospace's aircraft does go supersonic on a later date, it will be powered by a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE). -
JetZero's ultra-efficient blended wing demonstrator cleared for takeoff
March 27, 2024The basic shape of a passenger jet hasn’t really changed much for decades, but radical new shapes are inching closer to production. JetZero has announced that its beautiful blended-wing demonstrator has been FAA-approved to begin test flights. -
Video: Next-gen supersonic aircraft takes flight
March 24, 2024The first private supersonic aircraft since Concorde retired two decades ago has successfully taken to the skies. On March 22, Boom's XB-1 supersonic demonstrator completed its maiden flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California. -
Unpowered cargo gliders on tow ropes promise 65% cheaper air freight
March 18, 2024A West Texas company says it's found a remarkably simple way to slash air cargo costs as much as 65% – by having planes tow autonomous, cargo-carrying gliders behind them, big enough to double, or potentially triple their payload capacity. -
World's largest aircraft delivers colossal cargo to makeshift airstrips
March 17, 2024The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. -
Video: Talon-A1 test vehicle makes near-hypersonic first powered flight
March 11, 2024Stratolaunch Systems, the company behind the world's largest aircraft, is making headlines again. The firm's Talon-A1 hypersonic test aircraft has successfully completed its first powered flight, which took place last weekend in Mojave, California. -
Video: Wave Engine's UAV test flight brings pulsejet into 21st century
March 08, 2024Wave Engine Corp has aced a demonstration flight of a simple jet engine with no moving parts. A modern version of a pulsejet, the J-1 engine powered a UAV through take-off and several mid-air stop/starts before the aircraft nailed the landing. -
Video: Megawatt-scale liquid H2 airliner powertrain comes to life
March 03, 2024Universal Hydrogen is already flying the world's largest hydrogen airliner – and now the company has started testing swappable liquid hydrogen fuel modules that'll radically boost the range of clean passenger aircraft operations slated for 2026.
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