Terrafugia To Work With AAI Corporation On DARPA Transformer (TX) Project

DARPA has been talking for some time about developing a four person flyable and roadable vehicle it describes as a 'flying Humvee', a project with a budget of about $65 million. Terrafugia, the developer of the Transition Roadable Aircraft, or 'Flying Car', is the largest subcontractor to one of two winning teams, led by AAI Corporation and comprised of other Textron companies.

Terrafugia Roadable LSA

The vehicle, known as the Transformer, or TX, would function like a Humvee on the ground while also providing helicopter-like mobility. The result will be "unprecedented capability to avoid traditional and asymmetrical threats while avoiding road obstructions," according to a DARPA announcement. Intended missions include medical evacuation, avoidance of improvised explosive devices, remote resupply, and Special Forces insertion. The vehicle will be able to travel 280 miles by land and air, using vertical take-off and landing to increase access to difficult terrain, and automating flight controls to enable operation by non-pilots.

Phase I of the five year, three-phase program will focus on conceptual design of both a prototype and a production vehicle. Phases II and III will focus on the design and manufacture of the prototype, which could be ready as early as first quarter 2015.

The work calls for Terrafugia's expertise in drive and flight integration, deployable flight surfaces, and automotive crash safety for an aircraft. Chief Executive Officer Carl Dietrich says, "This DARPA program effectively leverages Terrafugia's core competencies and enables us to grow from a pure GA company to an emerging aerospace company with both general aviation and defense development programs. Our strong team of Terrafugia engineers with recent experience designing and building a dual purpose vehicle will bring a unique perspective to the TX program that is highly valued by DARPA and the other contractors on our TX team."

File Photo

The TX program represents an opportunity for Terrafugia to rededicate members of its engineering team as its primary business, the Transition Light Sport Aircraft Program, moves forward on schedule from detailed design to fabrication, testing and production in the second half of 2011.

FMI: www.terrafugia.com