Horizon Aircraft, in a press statement today, says it expects to see growing interest from the military and the defence sector in the eVTOL sector. Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft,: “The military is focused on fact-finding and growing its knowledge of the eVTOL sector and developing a better understanding of how it can be used in operations.”
Horizon Aircraft says its hybrid eVTOL design can be used for rapid deployment of advanced troop insertions and transporting equipment to remote areas at the same speed as an MV-22 Osprey. “They can also be very effective in military search and rescue missions and medical evacuations,” says the company. “Hybrid eVTOLs can also deliver improved military maintenance efficiency with a lower cost/time per flight hour. The military has made a firm commitment to sustainability and the Horizon Aircraft Cavorite X7 hybrid eVTOL is much more environmentally friendly aircraft than traditional helicopters. It achieves this through a combination of eVTOL hovering and efficient turboprop cruise flight.”
Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7 aircraft will have a gross weight of an estimated 5,500 lbs with a projected useful load of 1,500 lbs. With an estimated maximum speed of 250 miles per hour and an average range of over 500 miles with fuel reserves, Horizon believes that this experimental aircraft, if eventually licensed for commercial use, would be well-positioned to excel in medical evacuation, critical supply delivery, disaster relief, and special military missions. The company also believes that the proposed aircraft would also be attractive for Regional Air Mobility – moving people and cargo 50 to 500 miles.
“Unlike many in its category, the Cavorite X7 is being designed with a hybrid electric power system,” continued the press statement. “The company is designing the Cavorite X7 such that it will, after its vertical takeoff, re-charge its batteries enroute when it is flying in a configuration like a traditional aircraft. After a vertical landing and completion of a mission, the company is designing the Cavorite X7 to recharge its own battery array requiring no ground charging infrastructure to be ready for its next mission. A wing fold capability is present in the prototype in flight test which will likely be a feature of a military version enabling air portability and ship borne operations.”
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