Spirit AeroSystems’ Belfast team are to work on the development of a vertical takeoff aircraft capable of flying three times faster than a helicopter.
Working alongside the aerospace company’s Scotland operations, it will help design Skyworks VertiJet - a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), high-speed and long-range aircraft known as a gyrodyne which has the potential of flying at 400 miles an hour.
The announcement comes after Spirit signed a memorandum of understanding with Skyworks Aeronautics to support the US company’s defence and commercial platforms in the UK and Europe. Skyworks is an expert on gyronautics – which involves the use of propellers to achieve lift – and has been developing manned and unmanned vertical lift gyroplane technologies for more than two decades.
Sir Michael Ryan, Spirit Vice President for European Space and Defence, welcomed the agreement.
“We will be applying our engineering and technology leadership in advanced materials and ultra-light structures to explore the design, testing and integration of lightweight and aerodynamically efficient technologies in support of Skyworks’ aircraft platforms, such as its VertiJet VTOL program for military and commercial use,” he said.
John E. Michel, Skyworks Aeronautics Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said Spirit as the ideal partner for the project.
“Spirit AeroSystems is a prominent leader in the aerospace industry with world-class design and manufacturing capabilities. We cannot think of a better industry partner to help make the promise and potential of the VertiJet and other Skyworks-related platforms a tangible reality.”
