An entirely new type of combat drone called Ares, designed to take off and land vertically for dangerous missions, the Department of Defense will test-fly as early as next year.
Ares drone, for Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System, by helicopter manufacturer Piasecki Aircraft and defense company Lockheed Martin, could unload supplies or rescue soldiers.
Powered by two big, articulating ducted fans for lift and forward thrust in flight, much like the tilt-rotor Osprey.
A remote-controlled autonomous production version is next, capable of carrying up to 3,000 pounds.
via popsci
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