The Search and Rescue Flying Saucer

Last November Noah covered DARPA's Personal Air Vehicle Technology project on Danger Room. He described the project as a search for "a working prototype of a military-suitable flying car — a two- or four-passenger vehicle that can "drive on roads" one minute and take off like a helicopter the next. The hybrid machine would be perfect for "urban scouting," casualty evacuation and commando-delivery missions, the agency believes."

One of the companies that went after the project was Moller International, LLC. I never followed up whether they got the contract or not, but at the time I remember being fascinated by the technology Moller International, LLC was building. This press release reminded me of that DARPA project.

Moller International announced today that it has begun assembly of a unique version of it Neuera-series VTOL aircrafts, the Moller “Firefly”. The Firefly is specifically designed for urban search and rescue operations. (see www.Moller.com).

“The Firefly can address the pressing need for a vehicle that is able to extract trapped personnel directly from the upper floors of office buildings,” stated Dr. Paul Moller, President of Moller International. “It can accomplish this by positioning itself adjacent to the building near a window, thereby enabling trapped personnel to exit the building directly into the Firefly.” Unlike a helicopter, the Firefly's enclosed rotors can approach and dock to the side of a high-rise building without interference from a dangerous overhead rotor.

Based very closely on the Company's M200 Neuera recreational and utility vehicle, the Firefly will be capable of retrieving three people per trip and transporting them safely to ground level, a capability that is virtually non-existent in current search and rescue vehicles. The Firefly is equipped with larger engines to accommodate the increased payload and will have a retractable ramp with handrails to facilitate movement to and from the building. The operator is seated at the rear of the vehicle where he can oversee and provide direction to those being rescued.

The Firefly operator will use the computer-assisted flight control system to maneuver the aircraft, requiring less training than conventional air-rescue vehicles. The Company anticipates that public safety personnel will be able to operate the vehicle under the authority already granted to local fire and rescue organizations, as the high-rise rescue will typically occur within city limits.

This isn't a joke, but Moller International, LLC doesn't have the best track record. For years they have been suggesting a break through was just over the horizon. Maybe, maybe not, but moving to assembly is a good sign.

The idea behind the "Firefly 3" (top picture) is urban search and rescue, although other types of search and rescue operations are possible. For example, if a fire breaks out on the 30th floor, the Moller Firefly 3 could presumably fly up and rescue folks from windows, in fact Moller's M400 model video demonstration is of exactly that capability.

As the picture indicates (from here), it has been speculated there could be a military application to this technology... assuming it works. As I understand it, the Firefly 3 and the M400 are expected to be the two production models Moller intends to sell first, as both are mature designs that are in flight testing. Watching the flight videos reminds me a bit of watching early flight testing of helicopters, but that's just me.

The latest M400 is the model seen in the bottom picture, and has interesting expected specifications.

Passengers:4
Top speed @ 13,200 ft:375 mph
Cruise speed @ 20,000 ft:275 mph
Maximum rate of climb:6,000 fpm
Maximum range:750 miles
Payload excluding fuel:750 lbs
Operational ceiling:36,000 ft
Gross weight:2,400 lbs
Engine power (2 min. rating):1,200 hp
Fuel consumption:approx. 20 mpg
Fuel:Ethanol
Dimensions (LxWxH):19.5' x 8.5' x 7.5'

At that speed, one theory of a potential military application is to take off and land inside a C-130 or other cargo aircraft.

As you might expect, Moller International hopes to get a flying car to the masses. I don't know about you, but most of my neighbors are scary drivers around the neighborhood... I can't say me or my house gets too excited thinking they may be flying around the neighborhood, although one of the arguments for this technology is that the computer is supposed to be capable of doing most of the flying anyway. I hope so.

Nonetheless, thought it was interesting.