U.S. based aerospace company, Boeing has announced inking a partnership agreement with UAV specialist Tactical Robotics. Under this agreement, both the firms would jointly work on marketing, producing and developing airplanes with VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) feature that is based on Tactical Robotics’ Fancraft enclosed rotor technology.

According to reliable sources, the partnership emphasizes on the exploration and development of both autonomous and piloted VTOL aircraft. This collaboration would further demonstrate the VTOL industry growth in terms of investments, productization, and partnership.

For the record, Tactical Robotics, which is owned by Urban Aeronautics, had previously develop “Cormorant”, a self-driving flying car that can take off and land vertically with the help of Fancraft rotors. Contrasting to open rotors, Fancraft rotors are situated inside ducts, providing advantages in terms of enhanced safety, as it is mostly covered from all sides, and directing airflow.

Sources cite that this partnership would explore the idea of Cormorant in regard to deployment and production for potential applications such as disaster response.

In other news, Boeing recently announced that it plans to recommence the production of its 737 MAX aircraft prior to its previously fixed schedule. The company is pretty sturdy on its claims to continue the production of the airplane for a generation.

Commenting on this, Dave Calhoun, Chief Executive Officer, Boeing, said that the firm isn’t planning to scrap the 737 MAX from its lineup. The company previously anticipated that the aircraft would be grounded until mid-2020, but the latest setback in the return to service is speculated to be due to Boeing’s decision to authorize simulator training for pilots before flights resume again, claims Calhoun.

Although Calhoun declined to clear the fog on the date of resumption, he assured that it would be reinvigorated before June, as the company plans to start the lineup again.
 

Source Credit: https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/22/boeing-partners-with-tactical-robotics-to-develop-vtol-tech/