The Manta ANN2 eVTOL is a Multi-Purpose Aircraft That Will Perform a Variety of Missions
Who would have thought just a few years ago that we would be witnessing the roll-out of electric aircrafts with designs from sci-fi movies and TV shows. The Manta ANN2 eVTOL is the latest entrant into the burgeoning world of electric eVTOL aircrafts that will perform a variety of missions from search and rescue, medical transport, luxury transport, urban transport and much more.
Image Courtesy: Manta Aircraft
Designed by Italian eVTOL manufacturer Manta Aircraft, the ANN2 was originally designed to ferry high-net worth individuals and corporate executives on regional trips. However, the design has proved to be so economical and efficient that the company is branching off into providing the aircraft for medical transportation and other life-saving purposes.
Image Courtesy: Manta Aircraft
The Manta ANN2 is a tandem-seat configuration, fully carbon-fiber structure air vehicle with a 373-mile range and 186-mph cruising speed. It’s the only eVTOL currently offering a range of several hundred miles which is extremely useful for transporting medical personnel and organs from one hospital to another utilizing available heliports at each hospital.
Image Courtesy: Manta Aircraft
The V-Tail and overall design of the aircraft resembles the US Navy FA-18 Hornet fighter with tilted ducted fans and onboard electric generators that produce electricity in flight to extend the flight range of the aircraft. The design is so versatile that it can either operate as an eVTOL taking off and landing vertically or an eSTOL short-takeoff and landing for areas with limited airstrips.
Image Courtesy: Manta Aircraft
The company hopes that public acceptance of the aircraft will come as the aircraft makes a name for itself delivering vital life-saving organs and performing other missions critical to human life. By then millions of flight hours will be accrued and any issues with the aircraft fully ironed out in preparation for its use as an urban transportation platform.
The overall cost of operation is a fraction of what it would cost to operate a traditional helicopter. In addition to low infrastructure and maintenance costs, the ANN2 would be able to carry two to five passengers and would be a worthwhile investment for business executives. Certification testing is expected to begin in 2023 with initial production starting in 2025.
