U.S. Military eyeing on Workhorse's SureFly eVTOL personal air vehicle.

Workhorse Group Inc. announced yesterday  that it entered into a CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement) with a branch of the U.S. Military. The CRADA will enable a collaborative R&D program focused on military applications of the Workhorse's SureFly eVTOL personal air vehicle.

Workhorse's SureFly eVTOL multi-copter aircraft
(Credit: Workhorse Group)

"This CRADA will enable Workhorse to validate and test real time use cases of the SureFly and related designs, including potential applications for the U.S. Military," said Steve Burns, CEO of Workhorse.  "We are excited about the commercial applications for SureFly and now expanding the potential use cases to help our troops is doubly gratifying."

The Surefly is a two-place hybrid eVTOL multi-copter aircraft developed by Workhorse in Loveland, Ohio.SureFly is a personal helicopter/eVTOL aircraft designed for safe and easy flight. With eight independent motors each driving a single carbon fiber propeller, a backup battery power system, and a ballistic parachute to safely land in the event of emergency, the SureFly provides unparalleled safety for a personal aircraft.

It is designed to carry about 550 pounds of payload approximately 70 miles, at a speed of about 70 miles per hour, day or night. It has been designed to create a new type of aircraft that is easy to operate, safe to fly and is moderately priced, relative to a conventional helicopter.