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Israel Developing Airborne Car
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An Israeli pilot, who is also an aeronautics engineer, has developed
an aircraft called the X-Hawk that is able to land in places
currently impossible for both helicopters and airplanes.
The Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot reported that Dr. Raffi Yoeli
established his Urban Aerodynamics company with the express purpose
of creating his conceived aircraft. His invention, the X-Hawk, can
take off and land vertically, but, unlike a helicopter, the X-Hawk
does not have external propellers ? which constitute the chief
obstacle to close-proximity landing and hovering. The X-Hawk
incorporates the propellers into the body of the aircraft.
Another feature of the innovative aircraft is that the X-Hawk has no
wings. This, together with the lack of exposed propellers will enable
the X-Hawk to get close to the windows of skyscrapers and fly low in
populated areas without endangering either passengers of bystanders.
It's appearance is that of a car.
The X-Hawk is causing excitement in law enforcement and rescue forces
circles as it promises to revolutionize many existing methods. Some
of the new prospects include enabling rescue from high-rise buildings
and aerial police pursuit of ground targets. The X-Hawk is expected
to be able to achieve a maximum speed of 125 mph and fly for up to an
hour and a half strait (like most small helicopters).
The full-sized prototype is scheduled to be built in 2005, at which
time Urban Aerodynamics will seek a license from the American Federal
Aviation Administration. Officials at the company hope that in a few
years the construction work on the plane will be completed, at which
point it will be put to use. Urban Aerodynamics has built just one
prototype of the new aircraft thus far, which has completed several
manned test-flights successfully. |
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