"HopFlyt's Cyclone drone incorporates Custer's channel wing design, which allows for vertical takeoff and efficient forward flight, significantly reducing power consumption."
"The channel wing configuration enables the Cyclone to achieve a fuel burn of under three gallons per hour while carrying 250 lbs over 800 miles."
Willard Ray Custer's channel wing concept, patented in 1928, aimed to enhance VTOL efficiency by using semicircular cutouts in wings. Despite early demonstrations, it was not adopted due to aircraft weight and the advent of the jet age. HopFlyt, founded in 2016, is reviving this concept with the Cyclone, a hybrid VTOL drone that utilizes modern technology. The Cyclone claims to reduce power consumption, maintain low fuel burn, and support significant cargo capacity over long distances, targeting a 2027 commercial launch for various logistical applications.
Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News
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