FutureFlight
Transcend Air Selects Kaman To Make Its High-speed Tiltwing
The helicopter specialist will manufacture Transcend's five-passenger turbine-powered Vy 400 at its plant in Florida to support efforts to bring it to market by 2025.
Transcend Vy 400
Transcend Air's Vy 400 high-speed VTOL aircraft will be powered by General Electric's 2,500-shp CT7-8 turboshaft engine. (Image: Transcend Air)

Transcend Air has selected Kaman Aerospace Group to build its planned Vy 400 tiltrotor. In an August 13 announcement, the U.S. company said that Kaman, which is a very experienced helicopter manufacturer, will make the tiltwing turbine-powered model at its facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Vy 400 is expected to have a range of up to 450 miles and cruise speeds in excess of 400 mph. Transcend Air envisions the aircraft being used for regional passenger services, such as connecting Manhattan and the center of Boston in 36 minutes. The company claims it will be the world’s fastest helicopter and single-engine civil turboprop aircraft.