ABOVE AND BEYOND

In the second of Shephard’s series of Technology Reports, Gerrard Cowan looks at the rise and rise of VTOL UAS. He examines how the US Army’s decision to seek a VTOL-capable replacement for its fixed-wing RQ-7 Shadow is emblematic of new payloads enabling deployment of high-capability aircraft with a smaller footprints and simplified ground support.

Promises of eVTOL aircraft revolutionising urban air mobility appear to be finally nearing reality as the technology matures. With programmes such as the USAF’s Agility Prime looking to leverage this development for military purposes, what can eVTOL bring to the table in terms of frontline capabilities?

David Hurst, Managing Editor