By Chris Stonor
Jaunt Air Mobility announced this week advancing its next phase of the AFWERX High-Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing (HSVTOL) Concept Challenge, a crowdsourcing effort for the United States Air Force (USAF) and U.S Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), reports a press release. Jaunt is one of 11 companies from over 200 challenge entrants selected, to gain market research investments aimed at solutions enabling optimal agility in harsh and difficult environments.
Jesse Crispino, COO for Jaunt, commented, “We were confident in our team’s knowledge of the mission requirements and delighted we have been chosen.”
Jesse Crispino
The contract is for the development of two conceptual designs with the initial aircraft proposal for the Multi-Mission Air Vehicle (MAV 55), which brings the speed and capabilities of a fixed-wing aircraft combined with VTOL through Jaunt’s patented SRC technologies. Benefits include minimal aircraft downwash for operations, where actual aircraft landing is prohibitive, and a need for a quiet approach.
The release says, “Jaunt’s solution meets the broader HSVTOL conceptual framework that increases the trade space of speed, range, survivability, payload, size, and flexibility to carry out USAF and USSOCOM missions across the full spectrum of conflict and political scenarios.”
And goes on, “Jaunt emerged as a top-tier entrant in the HSVTOL Concept Challenge by meeting or exceeding rigorous evaluation criteria focused on technical merit, reliability, scalability and other factors.
Dr. Reid Melville, Chief Innovation Officer, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Transformational Capabilities Office, said, “The HSVTOL Concept Challenge has attracted an impressive range and calibre of solutions to help us understand how to build a new class of air vehicles.” Adding, “We believe the organisations selected to receive market research investments at this stage have the potential to deliver truly ground-breaking innovations.”
During the next six months, Jaunt will further develop its MAV 55 solution, working closely with the USAF, USSOCOM and Collaboration.Ai, the prime contractor facilitating the HSVTOL Concept Challenge.
AFWERX Concept Challenge
Footnote
Collaboration.Ai is a software and services provider based in Minneapolis. The company believes new ideas, stronger human connections and intelligent networks can lift up individuals, organisations and communities. Using design-thinking and artificial intelligence, the company assists with driving innovation, engineering more impactful teams and “augmenting the human networking experience to connect the right people around the right ideas.”
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