UK-based 4x4 Aviation has developed an enormous hybrid cargo airplane that will be able to carry truck-sized loads of cargo at speeds of up to 320 km/h. Dubbed the Versatile Vehicle-Plane or VV-Plane, this aircraft aims to reduce transportation costs in developing countries by achieving a better cost-weight ratio than current vehicles. It will also be of benefit in countries where poor roads make it difficult to transport large goods over land.
This massive cargo airplane will be powered by sixteen electrically-powered ducted fans. It will be able to lift off vertically before tilting the fans to a horizontal position for forward movement. The vertical take-off capability will be a huge help in places lacking decent runways.
4x4 Aviation plans to display and fly a prototype-scale model of the VV-Plane on September 26.
Humongous Cargo Airplanes
The VV-Plane Will Be Able to Carry Massive Loads at High Speed
Trend Themes
1. Hybrid Cargo Airplanes - Hybrid cargo airplanes with electrically-powered ducted fans present a disruptive innovation opportunity for the aviation industry to reduce transportation costs in developing countries.
2. Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Capabilities - VTOL capabilities in cargo airplanes offer a disruptive innovation opportunity for the aviation industry to improve transportation in areas with poor road infrastructure.
3. Better Cost-weight Ratio - Attaining a better cost-weight ratio through the development of massive cargo airplanes presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies that transport large goods over long distances.
Industry Implications
1. Aviation - Hybrid cargo airplanes with electrically-powered ducted fans and VTOL capabilities create disruptive innovation opportunities for the aviation industry to improve transportation in remote and challenging areas.
2. Transportation - The development of massive cargo airplanes with better cost-weight ratios presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the transportation industry to improve the efficiency of transporting large goods.
3. Logistics - The use of hybrid cargo airplanes with VTOL capabilities and better cost-weight ratios presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the logistics industry to reduce transportation costs and improve delivery times in remote and hard-to-reach areas.