Boeing advances Phantom Swift
Boeing’s Phantom Works has claimed its offering for DARPA’s Vertical Takeoff and Landing Experimental Plane (X-Plane) programme has the potential to spawn an entirely new family of systems in the future.
Released in 2013, DARPA’s VTOL X-Plane programme is aimed at shortening mission times and increasing ‘the potential for successful operations’, according to the organisation.
Requirements include increased flight speeds up to 400 kts; improved hover efficiency from 60 to 75%; a lift-to-drag ratio greater than 10 (up from 5-6); and capability to carry payloads over 40% of its 10-12,000 lb gross vehicle weight.
According to executives at Phantom Works
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