X-plane will be able to transport up to 100 tons over unprecedented distances
Aurora Flight Sciences has updated the design of its innovative Liberty Lifter X-Plane, which promises to revolutionize the cargo transportation industry. This aircraft is capable of carrying cargo weighing up to 100 tons over a distance of up to 12 thousand kilometers, and it can take off and land on the water surface, effectively overcoming waves up to 1.5 meters high.
The U.S. Department of Defense research agency, DARPA, selected Aurora Flight Sciences as a key participant in the development of a long-range demonstration screenplane last year. The company shared the progress of the project development, in particular, at the preliminary design stage, where the focus is on minimizing risks at all stages – from design to flight, using cost-effective production methods.
The company’s engineers develop and test full-scale aircraft components, including fuselage parts, using innovative materials. Phase 1B of the preliminary design is expected to be completed by January 2025, with the Liberty Lifter’s first flight scheduled for 2028.
