Category Archives: Aircraft Propulsion & Energy

Wireless Energy-Delivering Crystals Could Unleash Drones’ Capabilities

Crystals with the capacity to transform light directly into mechanical energy without using electricity as an interim stage could unleash a host of advances. For example, drones that run on laser beams could cut back on batteries, or do without them entirely, with the weight savings enabling extra capabilities. Continue reading

Noise, Vibration Considerations in eVTOL Aircraft

Dr Arunkumar M Sampath, a Principal Consultant in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Chennai, recently published a study into the implications of the increase in the production and operation of eVTOL aircraft and UAVs within populated civilian areas at relatively low altitudes which creates noise annoyance issues that impact human health and well-being. Continue reading

Raytheon Gets 81M DARPA Hypersonic Air-Breathing Weapons Concept Contract

Raytheon in partnership with Northrop Grumman Corporation was awarded a follow-on contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to reduce risk for future air breathing hypersonic systems. Under the agreement, the Raytheon-led team will build and fly additional Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) flight vehicles. Continue reading