Merged Astro and Horizon Will Develop Three eVTOL Aircraft
Texas-based Astro Aerospace, which is already working on the Elroy and Alta designs, is acquiring Canada's Horizon Aircraft, which has the Cavorite X5 model in the works.
The Cavorite X5 is an eVTOL designed by Horizon Aircraft which takes its aim to operate for applications including disaster relief, emergency medical, cargo transport, and air taxi services. The aircraft uses two primary means of propulsion: 16 duct-in-wing motors that allow the aircraft to move vertically, and a more powerful hybrid-electric motor to produce more powerful horizontal thrust. As a result, during cruise, this X5 flies more like a plane than it does a multicopter. This design accommodates one pilot and four passengers, with a typical cruise speed of 215 mph and a range of approximately 310 miles. The larger hybrid-electric engine and wings allow the aircraft to be landed conventionally if there is insufficient battery power to land vertically.
In February of 2021, Astro Aerospace announced their acquisition of Horizon Aircraft, and intends to build upon the existing Cavorite X5 prototype, which the company promises to finish shortly, although there is no clear timeline on when the company hopes to achieve commercial certification. In addition to further development of the X5, the company also plans to advance development of its smaller autonomous Elroy model and the Alta logistics platform.
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After agreeing to acquire Horizon Aircraft on February 18, Astro Aerospace has yet to make clear how the Canadian company's Cavorite X5 eVTOL design fits into a portfolio of other new designs, which also include the Elroy and the Alta models. Astro is also making plans for an initial public offering, with support from Kingswood Capital Markets.
The Cavorite X5 is an eVTOL aircraft designed by Horizon Aircraft utilizing 16 duct-in-wing motors which allow the aircraft to move vertically, and a more powerful hybrid-electric motor to produce more powerful horizontal thrust. As a result, during cruise flight, the X5 flies more like a fixed-wing aircraft than a multicopter. This design accommodates one pilot and four passengers, with a typical cruise speed of 215 mph and a range of approximately 310 miles. The larger hybrid-electric engine and wings allow the aircraft to be landed conventionally if there is insufficient battery power to land vertically.