​Transformer Drone, a VTOL with 300% increase in efficiency over a helicopter. 
How is this possible?
  1. Poor performance of Competition - Helicopters and other contemporary aircraft have poor efficiency (low hurdle).
  2. Fundamentally different approach - a front or rear tiltwing aligns with the fuselage to form a highly effective lifting body aircraft, forming cruising configurations similar to the Best Contemplated next-generation airliners.
  3. LEAPFROG - Correction!  The transformations will be to cruising configurations that EXCEED the performances of the Best Contemplated next-generation airliners, as is possible with thinner more-streamlined drone aircraft.

How It Works

  1. Choose a streamlined and efficient cruising configuration (travels Faster & Farther).
  2. Back-Engineer that configuration to:  a) a front or rear tiltwing, b) a platform or fuselage with additional propulsor(s), and c) a mechanism for the transition from VTOL to cruising.
  3. Modify the mechanism to be driven by passively (versus actively) through aerodynamic forces and to be safer than the competition.
The enabling technologies are:  a) front/rear tiltwings that form continuous and flat lift-generating paths ("Liftpath") and b) towed platforms that transition from allowing vertical air flow for VTOL and horizontal air flow for cruising (see Tech for the patent write-ups).
Images are from patents and patent applications, see Patents.