Moving up the scale
Start-up in talks with the Government and the Pentagon about using aircraft for military purposes
www.telegraph.co.uk
"Defence chiefs are in talks to use near-silent electric “flying taxis” to carry supplies and senior officers to the front line."
"Discussions with a number of Western militaries concern a hybrid version of the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) craft, which would use a small gas turbine to recharge its batteries.
"Mr Simpson said the hybrid aircraft would still be able to land in near silence, while doubling its potential payload to more than a ton.
"He said: “We are having discussions right at the top of the house with the military. We’ve got some fantastic connections both here and across the pond. We talk to all the forces at a very senior level.
"“For battlefield logistics, you can take off silently, cruise in near silence and then land in silence. At cruising altitude, the gas turbine is so small you can barely hear it.”
"The aircraft could also be flown autonomously, without a pilot, Mr Simpson said.
"The Valo’s battery packs could be used to power electrical equipment on the front line as an alternative to diesel generators."