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Rolls-Royce released plans for a flying taxi that could take to the sky in the early 2020s.
The British manufacturer to unveil its designs for a vertical take-off and landing electric vehicle (EVTOL) at the show Farnborough, which will be officially inaugurated tomorrow by Prime Minister Theresa May.
The air show is one of the biggest events of the aviation calendar, and May should take the opportunity to announce a series of new initiatives to boost employment. and growth in the UK aerospace industry, and to protect the supply chains on which companies such as Bombardier, Rolls-Royce and Airbus depend.
Rolls-Royce states that its flying vehicle design could be adapted to personal transportation, public transportation, logistics and military applications. The company has released design specifications for two different versions – a "flying cab" that can carry four or five people at speeds of up to 250 miles per hour for about 500 miles; and a military version with several propellers and a smaller cabin.
The company is now looking for partners who can help with the electrical and electrical system to help put the vehicle on the market in the next few years.
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"With our expertise in electric power and aviation, Rolls-Royce explores Actively a range of markets and applications hybrid electric flight, "said Rob Watson, who heads the Rolls-Royce power team. "We are well placed to play a leading role in the emerging world of personal air mobility and will also seek to work collaboratively with various partners."
"Electrification is an exciting and inevitable trend in industrial technology markets, moving to a more electric propulsion will be gradual for us, it will eventually be a revolution."
The original concept vehicle uses technology gas turbines for generating electricity to power six electric thrusters specially designed to have a low noise profile. This means that the design would not require recharging because the battery would be powered by the M250 gas turbine.
If she managed to find a partner, Rolls-Royce would join the ranks of Airbus, Google and Uber in the race to create The World's First Flying Taxi
Earlier this year, Airbus began making test flights of his own EVTOL vehicle, broadcasting video footage of the Vahana craft hovering in the air for 53 seconds.
Meanwhile, Uber hired a NASA researcher to help with his flying taxi plans. And in Silicon Valley, a number of start-ups are investing heavily in the emerging sector – including Kitty Hawk, a fully electric EVTOL that was backed by Google founder Larry Page.
However, Watson claimed that Rolls-Royce was developing the first turbo-prop engines and jet engines, as well as creating the world's most efficient solutions for large civil aircraft and the most important vertical take-offs and landings. performing. we have a very strong pedigree, "he said." As the third generation of aviation begins to emerge, it's time to become a pioneer again. "
Earlier this month, the government is committed to spending £ 343m on R & D to support new technologies in the aviation industry It is not yet known whether Rolls-Royce EVOL vehicles will be able to benefit from these funds. 19659002] On the day of the inauguration of the air show, the Prime Minister will visit the Farnborough site to inspect various new and emerging aerospace technologies before delivering a speech to industry leaders, where it should present plans for a new agreement in the aerospace sector.
"We can all feel extremely proud of our position as a leading aerospace nation. We have made sure that we remain at the forefront of civil aviation and that our air power is unparalleled, "said May. "Today, I want us to build on that foundation, and not only that we maintain our importance, but that in an increasingly competitive industry, we are making the most of the opportunities ahead."
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