NASA engineers successfully tested the Greased Lightning GL-10, a battery-powered, 10-rotor remotely piloted aircraft that can take off and land like a helicopter and then transition to conventional flight in mid air.
The craft was a little unsteady as it whirred to life and lifted off the ground, but it managed to rise into a controlled hover before its wing and tail transitioned in unison and the GL-10 climbed away more or less like a conventional airplane.
For the landing the UAV transitioned quickly back to hover mode, sounding a bit like a swarm of angry bees, and touched down on terra firma with a soft plunk.
Check out the video of the flight here.
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