Mile-High Hummers

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) wants one.

Maybe you do, too... But they'll spend giga-bucks to get it.

Texas-based AVX Aircraft released mockups of a dual-rotor, ducted-fan driven aircraft and its concept looks pretty close to DARPA's spec - a four-person, vertical takeoff and landing-capable vehicle that can deal with (Afghan-like) off road conditions then take to the skies.

This design carries 1,040 pounds 250 miles on a single tank of gas, and can travel 80 mph while in the air at 10,000ft altitude at max gross weight and up to 140 mph on land... Presuming there are any safe, secure, straight and paved roads.

Unfolding the dual rotor blades (which turn in opposite directions to eliminate the need for a noisy tail rotor) for flight should convert the vehicle from road mode to aircraft in just 60 seconds.

From Automotto