Portal Aircraft tests turbine-exhaust VTOL propulsion concept
Portal Aircraft trialled a VTOL powertrain that directs turbine exhaust toward rotor blades to generate lift without a conventional central drivetrain.
Evidence notes
- The architecture uses one gas turbine to feed distributed rotors, potentially removing batteries, electric lift motors, long driveshafts and a central gearbox.
- Portal is targeting longer-endurance vertical-lift aircraft that can refuel rapidly for defence and commercial missions.
- The test advances an early propulsion concept being developed through a U.S. small-business research programme.