FutureFlight
U.S. Air Force Funds Transcend Air for More Work on VTOL Operations
VTOL aircraft developer Transcend Air is partnered with the aerospace engineering department of Alabama's Auburn University.
One-fifth scale model of Transcend Air's Vy 400 VTOL aircraft.
Transcend Air and its research partner Auburn University will now use a one-fifth scale model of the Vy 400 VTOL aircraft to evaluate "nap of the earth" low altitude flying for the U.S. Air Force. (Image: Transcend Air)

The U.S. Air Force’s Afwerx program has awarded a Phase II small business technology transfer research and development contract to Transcend Air for work associated with its Vy 400 tiltwing aircraft. The Boston-based company will work with Alabama's Auburn University to develop advanced flight control laws for high-speed flight in the turbine-powered VTOL model.

The contract, announced on June 21, is intended to build on Phase I work conducted with the university last year. It will extend the development of the control law and simplified vehicle operations to allow the Vy 400 to operate in “nap of the earth” mode to avoid detection in hostile territory by flying just above terrain contours. Afwerx is exploring the possible use of new VTOL aircraft for military applications.