Horizon Aircraft has unveiled a 50%-scale prototype of the Cavorite X5 hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
Horizon’s approach and technology allows the aircraft to fly 98% of its mission in a very low-drag configuration, like a traditional aircraft. The company said that flying most of the time as a normal aircraft is “also safer and should make the aircraft easier to certify than radical new eVTOL designs”.
The full-scale aircraft will also be powered by a hybrid-electric system that can recharge the battery array in flight while providing additional system redundancy. Horizon said comprehensive testing of this 50%-scale aircraft will reduce technical risk moving forward as the company continues the development of the full-scale aircraft.
“With a 22ft wingspan, 15ft in length, and capable of speeds over 250km/hr, this 50%-scale prototype is an impressive aircraft,” said Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft. “Furthermore, it will yield valuable information that will help to reduce technical risk as we move forward with detailed design of our full-scale aircraft.”
Horizon Aircraft shared it will continue with rigorous testing of its 50%-scale prototype with a strong focus on safety. The company will soon proceed through transition testing and high-speed flight testing.
