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On a sunny day in Dübendorf in July 2023, the Dufour Aerospace X2.2 prototype of the uncrewed Aero2 aircraft successfully demonstrated full transition from vertical take-off to horizontal cruise.
This is the third prototype from Dufour Aerospace that demonstrates the aerodynamic qualities of Dufour’s innovative tilt-wing design.
And, Spright, the launch customer for Aero2, will soon receive a second X2.2 prototype. This prototype is currently being completed and will undergo tests including system, ground and flight tests. This unit will serve as a demonstrator in the U.S. beginning in October.
“Being able to show the full transition of X2.2 is a really significant milestone for Dufour Aerospace,” said Sascha Hardegger, chief operating officer of Dufour Aerospace.
“X2.2 will allow our launch customer Spright and us to demonstrate the outstanding capabilities of Aero2 and its potential to revolutionise middle-mile logistics of critical goods. Customers rightfully want to see flight demonstrations. Only what exists in reality counts. Dufour’s focus on the product is paying off. ”
These two X2.2 prototypes have a wingspan of around five meters (16.4 feet) and a weight of 155 kilograms (342 pounds).
They will be used for further flight testing and envelope expansion in the second half of 2023. Concurrently, Dufour is working on the next version, called X2.3.
