Yet another flying car
As we happened to write on this blog a couple of weeks ago, the US Department of Defense, through its DARPA department, is currently looking for tactical ground vehicles which, in case of danger, are equipped with the necessary technology to allow them to escape via vertical takeoff (and the relevant vertical landing) in order to find their way out of danger, with a cruise speed comparable with a light aircraft: in practice, something between an armored vehicle, an helicopter and a small plane.
In response to this search, one of the first manufacturers to respond to the search was AVX, with its TX concept, a flying car which, according to its planners, should be able to carry 4 passengers and a payload of approximately 500 kgs, turning from ground-based to aerial vehicle within only 60 seconds, with automatic vertical takeoff capabilities.
Furthermore, TX is capable of reaching a maximum flight speed of around 230 kilometers per hour, with an operating range of approximately 250 nautical miles, simple and intuitive flight controls, and satellite navigation systems to easily find the destination, both on the ground and in the ayr.
The only weak spot might be its speed on the ground, which exceeds 120 kilometers per hour on a normal road, but drops below 50 in offroad conditions and rough terrain, which might expose T&X to the threat of ambush, and 60 seconds might not be enough to successfully convert it from ground to aerial mode.
Among other features, TX is also able to perform medical evacuations to rescue wounded soldiers, turning one of the seats into a stretcher and carrying the pilot, the wounded passenger and a doctor for medical assistance.
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