DARPA's Tactical Technology Office has completed flight-testing of a sub-scale version of a novel aircraft design as part of its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) X-Plane program, and is proceeding with work to develop a full-scale version of the groundbreaking plane. Developed and fabricated by Aurora Flight Sciences, the aircraft includes 24 electric ducted fans. Eighteen fans are distributed within the main wings and six in the canard surfaces, with the wings and canards tilting upwards for

The Bayraktar VTOL Aerial Vehicle has successfully completed an 8,000-foot operational altitude flight test.