The U.S. Navy is testing a radical new style of long-distance drone that can take off and land vertically, making it deployable from almost anywhere.
The V-Bat drone, which recently completed a fly-test over the Atlantic Ocean can be equipped with an 8 lbs. payload, travel for eight hours in one sitting, and has applications in surveillance, combat, GPS mapping, and more.
In prior test, the V-Bat pushed the boundaries of its ceiling altitude, soaring to a height of 15,000 feet and returning safely.
It only requires a 20x20 foot area to take off or land, and could be used by small, platoon-sized ground units. This would be a ground or sea adversary's worst nightmare. To read more, click here.