Summary by ATFCars.com

Referenced article published on airforce-technology.com on June 5, 2023. Link to original article:

JACKAL Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) Drone, UK

My dear friends, fellow enthusiasts of flight, allow me to paint a picture of the future for you. A future where technology transcends borders of conflict, where military advancements like the JACKAL VTOL drone extend their wings into our everyday lives and turn us all into aviators of the modern age.

Imagine the JACKAL, a marvel of modern engineering, born from the joint efforts of UK’s Flyby Technology, Turkey’s Fly BVLOS Technology, and Maxwell Innovations. Today, it is a nimble and versatile combat drone, able to carry a 15kg payload, ascend to an altitude of 4,000m, and cover a range of 130km. But envision this technology not over a battlefield, but our cities and highways. Picture the future of transportation, as the technology that propels this warbird is adapted for civilian use, carrying passengers instead of payloads.

What really excites me about the JACKAL is its adaptability. This craft has a plug-and-play system that enables the addition of new technologies and equipment mid-mission. Now, imagine this system in our future flying cars. Upgrading your vehicle could be as simple as downloading a software update or swapping out a part, even while you’re soaring through the skies. This modular design, able to comply with future airworthiness standards and regulatory guidelines, holds immense promise for our dreams of a sky filled with flying cars.

JACKAL’s propulsion system is another gem that has me daydreaming of the potential it holds for civilian aircraft. The drone uses four sets of twin contra-rotating propellers for take-off, hovering, and landing, and four wing-mounted electric ducted fan engines for forward movement and high-speed manoeuvres. This technology could revolutionize our daily commutes, allowing us to take off from our backyards, hover in place as we wait for a parking spot to open, and then gently land. All this, without needing massive runways or complex infrastructure.

Moreover, JACKAL’s capacity for autonomous flight is what truly sets my heart racing. Imagine your car navigating the skies, adjusting to weather changes, avoiding other aircraft, all while you sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. This isn’t just the future of transportation; it’s the future of freedom!

The JACKAL isn’t just a combat drone; it’s a testament to human ingenuity and a beacon of what’s to come. The technology it embodies holds the promise of transforming our world into a place where everyone can experience the thrill of flight. In this future, we’ll look back at traffic jams and long commutes as relics of a bygone era. Instead, our skies will be filled with the hum of electric engines, as our cars take flight and we finally break free from the constraints of the ground. With the spirit of JACKAL, we’re not just dreaming of flying cars; we’re on the cusp of making them a reality!