Rolls-Royce работает над летающим такси

18 July 2018

Производство гибридного самолета должно начаться в 2020 году

Mankind has been dreaming of flying cars. In the middle of the last century, it seemed that these cars will be here soon. In the end, when flights into space seemed fantastic, but in the 60s, everything changed. But things are there: some enthusiasts release gyroplanes, but this is a completely different class of vehicles. And if informed about the development of the flying car said mostly just small-town startups, now joined the race Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce cars are known worldwide, but in this case we are talking about Rolls-Royce Holdings, and not Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. For many years she produces engines for aircraft and helicopters. And although the British company has not previously issued aeronautic tools, experience in this area it does not hold.

The concept of a flying car was demonstrated at the air show "Farnborough-2018". Rolls-Royce representatives told about the concept aircraft designed to carry five people. A prototype with the working title EVTOL (Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) capable of speeds up to 400 km/h with a flight range of up to 800 kilometers.

The vehicle is driven by six propellers. They can be rotated 90 degrees, so able to pull the ship not only forward, but upwards: this ensures a vertical takeoff. Thus, Rolls-Royce EVTOL can soar into the sky from almost any place, because it does not need a runway.

The propellers rotate by individual motors, but EVTOL still not entirely environmentally friendly mode of transport. Because flight requires so much energy, then its storage would require a huge and heavy battery that is contrary to the concept of compact and lightweight air taxi. So for energy generation in the concept used turbine generator with capacity of 500 kW.

It is assumed that the mass production EVTOL should begin in the summer of 2020. Meanwhile, earlier about its ambitions in this area have already announced giants such as Airbus and Uber. Who will be first?

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