Krossblade Aerospace Systems

Krossblade Aerospace Systems
Private
Industry Aerospace/Aviation
Founded 2014
Founder Daniel Lubrich and Austin Kipp
Headquarters United States Singapore
Area served
 Global locations
Products SkyCruiser, SkyProwler
Website www.krossblade.com

Krossblade Aerospace Systems is an aviation company founded in 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The company is known for developing a 5-seat hybrid, vertical take-off and landing, VTOL concept, SkyCruiser, and for its drone/UAV prototype, SkyProwler.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Both aircraft employ the switchblade transformation mechanism to transform from a multirotor aircraft for vertical take-off and landing, to a pure winged aircraft, for rapid and efficient cruise.[7][8]

Krossblade SkyCruiser

SkyCruiser is a concept of a vertical take-off and landing transformer aircraft with limited road drive capability. It has 5 seats and is powered by a hybrid power train.[9][10] While all rotors and propellers are driven by electric motors, the electric energy is produced by a 400 hp internal combustion engine mated to a generator.[2] A small battery provides backup storage of electric energy enabling SkyCruiser to briefly fly purely on stored electric power. SkyCruiser is able to fly at speeds in excess of 300 mph with a range of around 1,000 miles.[2] Although capable of driving on roads, SkyCruiser is optimized for flight. Fast cruise bridges larger distances rapidly, while the VTOL capability enables it to land at or very close to its passengers’ destination.[11][12][13] SkyCruiser is scheduled to come to market at the end of the current decade.[14]

Krossblade SkyProwler

SkyProwler is a UAV/drone prototype used by Krossblade to develop the essential mechanisms and concepts for the larger SkyCruiser.[1][2] It is a purely electrical aircraft that utilizes the switchblade mechanism to transform from multirotor-mode for VTOL to a pure aircraft mode for fast and efficient cruise. Possible applications include delivery.[14] SkyProwler flies with speeds of up to 55 mph.[15]

Switchblade mechanism

Rather than employing a rigid frame to mount motors and rotors as is done in quadcopters and other multirotors, in the switchblade mechanism motors and rotors are mounted on movable arms. These arms can pivot and so enable storage of the rotors and motors inside the fuselage, where they do not cause aerodynamic drag and hence enable to aircraft to fly faster and more efficient. Compared to a pure winged aircraft, the VTOL system, including the switchblade mechanism, increases the weight of an aircraft by around 15%.[16]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flying automobiles (aircraft).

References

  1. 1 2 Hambling, David (2014-10-31). "Watch the SkyCruiser Flying Car Transform From Helicopter to Plane in Mid-Air". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Szondy, David (2014-10-25). "Krossblade's SkyCruiser merges airplane, quadcopter and car". Gizmag. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  3. ↑ Shadbolt, Peter (2014-11-14). "The race is on for flying car start ups". CNN. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  4. ↑ "An airplane, helicopter and car, all in one". Reuters. 2014-10-27. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  5. ↑ Scharnhorst, Emily (2014-10-28). "Here's an Airplane, Helicopter, and Car — All in One". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  6. ↑ Satya Swaroop Dash (2014-10-27). "SkyCruiser Airplane & SkyProwler Drone Feature Vertical Take-off & Landing". Crazy Engineers. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
  7. ↑ "Aircraft combines a helicopter, airplane and car". Washington Post. 2014-10-27. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  8. ↑ "This hybrid car is part plane, part helicopter too". GMA News Online. 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
  9. ↑ Vikas Shukla (2014-10-29). "Krossblade's SkyCruiser Is An Airplane That Turns Into Car Upon Landing". Value Walk. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  10. ↑ Ben Griffin (2014-10-30). "Krossblade SkyCruiser is a flying car like no other". Recombu. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  11. ↑ Prigg, Mark (2014-10-29). "The ultimate fly drive package: SkyCruiser merges an aeroplane, quadcopter and a car". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  12. ↑ Brindusescu, Gabriel (2014-10-31). "Krossblade SkyCruiser Is Part Hybrid Helicopter, Part Personal Jet". Autoevolution. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  13. ↑ Hopton, Eric (2014-11-02). "SkyCruiser Flying Car Aims To Slash Travel Times". Red Orbit. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  14. 1 2 "'Transformer' UAV touted to parcel delivery market". Flight Global. 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  15. ↑ Ramachandran, Sanjeev (2014-10-29). "SkyCruiser Hybrid Vehicle Can Fly Like a Copter and Cruise Along Highways Like a Car". Device Magazine. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  16. ↑ "Krossblade SkyCruiser joins race for a flying car". European Pilot. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
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