Recent advancements in eVTOL aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry. One promising application is for last-mile (and middle-mile) military transport and logistics, which can complement current mission capabilities and enhance operational readiness. With the dynamic and varying global challenges facing military operations, eVTOL aircraft can offer timely, on-demand, and potentially cost-effective aerial mobility components to the overall solution. The Use of eVTOL Aircraft for Military Applications: Last-mile Transport and Logistics explores the challenges that need to be addressed before identified capabilities and benefits can be realized at scale: Mission-specific eVTOL vehicle development Detect-and-avoid (DAA)capabilities in complex and challenging operating environments Autonomous and AI-enhanced mission capabilities Charging system compatibility and availability for battery-electric vehicles Simplified vehicle operations (SVO) training Vehicle/fleet logistics and support Secured supply chain management Acceptance from stakeholder services, military leadership, field commanders, and operating and support team members Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2022025

Advancements in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry. One particularly promising application involves on-demand, rapid-response use cases to broaden first responders, police, and medical transport mission capabilities. With the dynamic and varying public service operations, eVTOL aircraft can offer potentially cost-effective aerial mobility components to the overall solution, including significant lifesaving benefits. The Use of eVTOL Aircraft for First Responder, Police, and Medical Transport Applications discusses the challenges need to be addressed before identified capabilities and benefits can be realized at scale: Mission-specific eVTOL vehicle development Operator- and patient-specific accommodations Detect-and-avoid capabilities in complex and challenging operating environments Autonomous and artificial intelligence-enhanced mission capabilities Home-base charging systems for battery power platforms Simplified operator and support training Vehicle/fleet maintenance and support Acceptance and participation from stakeholder services, local and state-level leadership, field operators, and support team members Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2023020

Recent advancements of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry, and many new and novel applications have been identified and are under development. One promising application is rapid response during natural disasters, which can complement current capabilities to help save lives and enhance post-disaster recoveries. The Use of eVTOL Aircraft During Natural Disasters presents issues that need to be addressed before eVTOL aircraft are integrated into natural disaster response operations: eVTOL vehicle development Detect-and-avoid capabilities in complex and challenging operating environments Autonomous and remote operations Charging system compatibility and availability Operator and controller training Dynamic air space management Vehicle/fleet logistics and support Acceptance from stakeholders and the public Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2022001

Recent advancements of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry, and many new and novel applications have been identified and under development. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the challenges of managing a global pandemic response due to the difference in regional and local resources, culture, and political systems. Although there may not be a uniform crisis management strategy that the world can agree on, we can leverage a new generation of vertical flight vehicles to make a difference if (or when) such a global epidemic strikes again. One of the key challenges realized in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak is the ability to allocate and distribute limited and critical medical resources, including equipment, supplies, medical personnel, and first responders to the hot spots when and where they may be needed. The on-demand logistics capabilities could be enhanced by the availability of new-generation eVTOL aircraft and their forthcoming autonomous operation. The ability to land and takeoff at many unconventional locations makes eVTOL aircraft valuable assists for complementing and enhancing on-demand logistic needs. To make such operations truly productive is not easy; there are reassociated challenges that needed to be addressed to enable the benefit of such a system. In addition to having a large enough eVTOL fleet near a location that can be available for the pandemic responses, the support system and the ability to deploy and reposition the fleet dynamically with supporting infrastructures are also required. Based on the rapid development progress of eVTOL, it is envisioned that those challenges can be addressed soon. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2020022

Electrical vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles for urban air mobility (UAM) are garnering increased attention from both the automotive and aerospace industries, with use cases ranging from individual transportation, public service, cargo delivery, and more. Distributed electric propulsion systems are their main technical feature; they determine vehicle size and propulsion efficiency and provide distributed thrust to achieve attitude control. Considering the intended role of eVTOL vehicles, ducted-fan systems are ideal choice for the propulsor, as the duct provides a physical barrier between the rotating blades and the human, especially during the take-off and landing phases. Key Technology Challenges of Electric Ducted Fan Propulsion Systems for eVTOL introduces the main bottlenecks and key enablers of ducted-fan propulsion systems for eVTOL applications. Based on the introduction and discussion of these important issues, this report will help eVTOL engineers understand the key technical issues and inspire them to develop the ideal solutions that will enable eVTOL vehicle deployment for UAM operations. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2023027

Recent advancements of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry. One promising application for these innovative systems is in firefighting support during urban, rural, and wildland firefighting operations. Future eVTOL firefighting capabilities could include early detection and suppression, civilian rescue, and on-demand aerial deployment and extraction of firefighters. Unsettled Issues Concerning eVTOL for Rapid-response, On-demand Firefighting identifies the challenges to be addressed so that these capabilities and benefits could be realized at scale: Firefighting-specific eVTOL vehicle development Sense and avoid capabilities in smoke-inhibited environments Autonomous and remote operating capabilities Charging system compatibility and availability Operator and controller training Dynamic air space management Vehicle/fleet logistics and support First-responder and general public acceptance Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2021017

The past decade has seen tremendous interest in the production and refinement of unmanned aerial vehicles, both fixed-wing, such as airplanes and rotary-wing, such as helicopters and vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. This book provides a diversified survey of research and development on small and miniature unmanned aerial vehicles of both fixed and rotary wing designs. From historical background to proposed new applications, this is the most comprehensive reference yet.