Airbus Explores Concept For Reconfigurable High-Speed Rotorcraft

Airbus is developing a new concept for a reconfigurable high-speed rotorcraft aimed at future military requirements. The innovative design features the ability to take off and land vertically like a helicopter. For high-speed cruise, the main rotor blades would fold and retract into the fuselage, transitioning the aircraft into a more conventional fixed-wing configuration. This hybrid approach aims to combine the vertical lift versatility of a helicopter with the superior speed and range of a turboprop airplane. The project is currently in the exploratory and conceptual design phase as the company evaluates its technological feasibility.

Official Source: https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/airbus-exploring-reconfigurable-high-speed-rotorcraft