Jaunt MAV55 moves forward in AFWERX HSVTOL Concept Challenge

Jaunt Air Mobility was selected from 218 competitors to compete in the AFWERX High Speed Vertical Take-off and Landing (HSVTOL) Concept Challenge, narrowed to 35 challengers. The HSVTOL Concept Challenge partnership is with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The MAV55 Multi-Mission Air Vehicle brings the speed and capabilities of a fixed-wing aircraft combined with Jaunt’s highly efficient and patented slowed rotor compound (SRC) technology.

The USAF and USSOCOM are seeking to leverage new and innovative technologies. “Having worked within USSOCOM in Rotary Wing Special Operation Forces during my military service, our team fully understands the mission requirements of infiltration and exfiltration, personnel recovery, aeromedical evacuation, and tactical mobility, at jet-like speeds. These are the core fundamentals we applied in designing the MAV55. Still, we’ve also added the elements of lower acoustic signatures and minimal downwash in hover operations,” stated Jesse Crispino, Chief Operations Officer for Jaunt Air Mobility. 

Jaunt Air Mobility SRC enabling technologies bring advanced capabilities to the military utilizing a single main rotor for hover, takeoff, and landing, and, high aspect ratio, small area wings for flight once aloft. SRC is a suite of technologies that dramatically slows the rotor as the forward airspeed increases and the wings take on the lift reducing drag, noise, and associated vibration. The configuration produces a lift to drag ratio 5x better than a helicopter, as demonstrated during over 300 flight test hours. 

SRC isn’t a new concept, but the design complexities were cost and weight-prohibitive when integrated into a hovering solution until electrification and hybridization. Jaunt teamed with VerdeGo Aero for this proposal to utilize a version of their proprietary electric/hybrid drive system already in development and nearing production on a different scale. VerdeGo, as a mission-enabling system, was also one of the companies down-selected by the Air Force to the round of 35.

Earlier this year, Jaunt completed three Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts for the Agility Prime Office of AFWERX via contracts through the Air Force Research Laboratory. These contracts covered Extreme Fast Charging (XFC), Advanced Manufacturing of Thermoplastics, and Acoustics. Jaunt worked with BAE Systems and Binghamton University to assist in designing a large-scale fast-charging system nearly twice as efficient as current chargers on the market today. Working with Qarbon Aerospace and Georgia Tech, Jaunt validated and quantified the benefits of using thermoplastics for large-scale structures in the manufacturing process of this new aviation segment. Lastly, with Penn State and Continuum Dynamics Inc., Jaunt validated the Journey aircraft acoustic profile. Crispino noted, “Our acoustics work confirmed our eVTOL aircraft will operate at the lowest possible noise levels capable with today’s technology and be imperceivable when flying overhead.”

A graduate of West Point Military Academy, Mr. Crispino’s service included various flight test and program management positions within Army Aviation. He also served as the director of systems integration for the Army Special Operations Aviation Command rotary wing and unmanned aerial vehicle fleets.

“The High Speed AFWERX Concept Challenge and STTRs allow companies like Jaunt to work in partnership with the military to develop the next generation of aviation technology,” said Martin Peryea, CEO of Jaunt Air Mobility. Jaunt is currently developing an all-electric VTOL for the Urban Air Mobility market based on the same SRC technologies.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Jaunt.