Aerospace engineers Ron Barrett and Richard Bramlette set out to build a quadcopter unlike any other—one that can fly at high speeds like a rocket, up to 133 mph on one test flight.
The idea behind the rocket quadcopter is pretty ingenious: combine a traditional hovering copter with a fixed-wing craft to give it the best of both worlds. The quadcopter mode provides hovering capabilities and maneuverability, and the fixed-wing grants it an aerodynamic shape for flying at speeds in excess of 80 mph. Together, the quadcopter/rocket design, called QuadRKT, offers versatility for people who want a little more zip out of their drones.
See the video at https://ksr-video.imgix.net/projects/2529695/video-680434-h264_high.mp4
The team initially sought funding for QuadRKT with DARPA, entering into the agency's Experimental Vertical Takeoff and Landing program in 2013. However, DARPA balked at the idea, saying the project was "too risky" and "will probably never fly." In response, the team formed the private company Edissey, and started developing the QuadRKT for commercial and recreational use.
They've recently launched a Kickstarter to help fund the production of the QuadRKT. As with all Kickstarters, you're investing, not buying, and if the company goes under you might not get a return on your investment.
The QuadRKT team hopes that their unique design will revolutionize the quadcopter racing industry. If the QuadRKT can manage to live up to its expectations, it might just do that.
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