In fact, researchers have been working on various versions of the SkyTote since 1998.^1,2 It was smaller then, with an initial design meant to deliver a 400 lb payload to a point within a 300 mi range in less than 2 hrs. During this initial design phase, however, researchers determined that redesigning the vehicle—increasing its original size from 2 ft to 8 ft—would make it more realistic and usable for customers.

Researchers have since altered SkyTote even further; the new test vehicle is designed to carry a 50 lb payload within 150 nmi. This latest change occurred because researchers believed a medium-sized vehicle would not only allow a more representative test of the technology, but would be more directly useful to customers. Mr. Cord emphasizes that neither conventional helicopters nor fixed-wing vehicles are capable of achieving SkyTote’s unique characteristics. Conventional helicopters with the same payload characteristics are limited to speeds between 100 and 105 kt, while SkyTote, equipped with the same hover capabilities as conventional helicopters, can attain speeds of 200 kt.