Overview

• Beihang University engineers led by Wang Yaokun and Qiu Yuting describe a hybrid VTOL aircraft that deploys electric rotors for vertical lift within a retractable fairing; a turbojet engine then enables streamlined, high-speed cruise.
• A 45-kilogram demonstrator reportedly achieved smooth hover-to-cruise transitions and reached speeds near 142 miles per hour in preliminary flight tests.
• The drone is designed for deck-based launch and recovery on destroyers, frigates and amphibious ships to extend naval surveillance and strike reach without runway support.
• Its composite airframe uses T-700-grade carbon fiber reinforced with modified resins and incorporates heat shielding rated for temperatures above 1,292°F to withstand repeated shipboard operations.
• Outside experts note the lack of independent verification and warn that rotor-and-jet integration adds weight and reduces fuel efficiency, limiting the platform’s range and payload for roles such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare or light strike.