Russia patents hybrid helicopter-airplane design for future aviation

Russia has patented a revolutionary design for an aircraft that combines the functionality of a helicopter and an airplane, allowing it to transform in mid-flight.

The innovative technology was revealed by Sergei Chernyshev, scientific director of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) and vice-president of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in an interview with Russian media, Caliber.Az reports.

According to Chernyshev, the hybrid aircraft features a main propeller that, in certain flight modes, locks into place and becomes a wing. The aircraft continues to fly as an airplane while the pusher engines remain operational. This design successfully integrates the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the high-speed horizontal flight characteristics of an airplane.

The newly patented technology promises to enhance the versatility and efficiency of future aircraft, offering a dual-function design that could significantly benefit both civilian and military aviation sectors. However, Chernyshev acknowledged that while the concept has been patented, further work is required to develop the necessary technologies to bring it to full operational capacity.

In addition to this hybrid aircraft, Russia is also advancing in the development of a supersonic airplane demonstrator. This project aims to perfect flight modes for a passenger airliner capable of traveling from Moscow to Vladivostok in just two or three hours.

Furthermore, Chernyshev discussed other cutting-edge initiatives in Russian aviation, including advancements in "flying wing" designs, electric motors, and plasma aerodynamics, all of which are expected to shape the future of domestic and global aviation.

By Vafa Guliyeva