”The Guardian VTOL platform is a multi-year scaled airframe development program beginning in 2018.

”The Guardian VTOL platform is a multi-year scaled airframe development program beginning in 2018.

The Guardian development program centers around usability and functionality requirements that are intended to deliver a highly practical air platform for a wide range of use cases; in particular medical rescue, provision of air taxi services to people dependent on wheelchairs, and bulky goods transport in urban environments.

As a scaled development program, the airframe design has been validated at multiple sizes. As of 2022, we have achieved human liftoff with a Part 103 compliant, 1/2 scale airframe (the G1) and performed extensive load testing validating the structural cabin design.

Mandatory platform requirements:

  1. Oversized cabin interior capable of fitting a full sized gurney 
  2. Wide Rear Loading Ramp providing wheelchair and gurney access
  3. Seating for 4 – 6 passengers
  4. Vertical Takeoff and Landing Capability
  5. Capable of Z-Axis flight at 0deg angle of attack
  6. Triple lift systems redundancy

Continuous improvement requirements:

  1. Maximize flight time and usable range
  2. Maximize payload capacity

Guardian VTOL Platform
Scale Program:

 

Development Milestone Achievements to date
2018
1/8 Scale
2019
1/4 Scale
2020
Ultralight Spec Prototype
2021
Ultralight Production Model (G1)
2022
Manned Takeoff

2018: 1/8 Scale

Thrust:Mass Ratio: 3:1

Propeller size: 13″

Configuration: Quadcopter (four rotor thrust vectoring)

2019: 1/4 Scale

Thrust:Mass Ratio: 2:1

Propeller size: 20″

Configuration: Pusher Quadcopter (four rotor thrust vectoring, rear ducted fan)

2020: Ultralight Spec Prototype

Thrust:Mass Ratio: 2:1

Propeller size: 27″

Configuration: Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring)

2021: Ultralight Production Model (G1)

Thrust:Mass Ratio: 2:1

Propeller size: 55″, 15.5″, 42″

Configuration: Pusher Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring, rear independent thrust)

2022: Manned Takeoff

Thrust:Mass Ratio: 2:1

Propeller size: 55″, 15.5″, 42″

Configuration: Pusher Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring, rear independent thrust)

(tethered test)

2023: Full Scale

Thrust:Mass Ratio: TBC

Propeller size: 63″, 20″ Ducted fan

Configuration: Pusher Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring, rear independent thrust)

2030: Guardian Avira

Thrust:Mass Ratio: TBC

Propeller size: 63″, 20″ Ducted Fan

Configuration: Folding-wing Pusher Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring, rear independent thrust)

About: Following validation of the Full Scale Guardian Platform, a folding wing system will be gradually introduced to increase usable range. This is a concept design representing a vision for the platform, integrating all of the design functionality of the Guardian with a luxury user experience.

2019: 1/4 Scale

Thrust:Mass Ratio: 2:1

Propeller size: 20″

Configuration: Pusher Quadcopter (four rotor thrust vectoring, rear ducted fan)

2020: Ultralight Spec Prototype

Thrust:Mass Ratio: 2:1

Propeller size: 27″

Configuration: Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring)

2021: Ultralight Production Model (G1)

Thrust:Mass Ratio: 2:1

Propeller size: 55″, 15.5″, 42″

Configuration: Pusher Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring, rear independent thrust)

2022: Manned Takeoff

Thrust:Mass Ratio: 2:1

Propeller size: 55″, 15.5″, 42″

Configuration: Pusher Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring, rear independent thrust)

(tethered test)

2023: Full Scale

Thrust:Mass Ratio: TBC

Propeller size: 63″, 20″ Ducted fan

Configuration: Pusher Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring, rear independent thrust)

2030: Guardian Avira

Thrust:Mass Ratio: TBC

Propeller size: 63″, 20″ Ducted Fan

Configuration: Folding-wing Pusher Dodecacopter (twelve rotor thrust vectoring, rear independent thrust)

About: Following validation of the Full Scale Guardian Platform, a folding wing system will be gradually introduced to increase usable range. This is a concept design representing a vision for the platform, integrating all of the design functionality of the Guardian with a luxury user experience.