An unmanned air ambulance has been filmed taking off, untethered, for the first time.
In theory the robotic craft would be able to take off and land vertically, in terrain where helicopters are impractical, with space for two human passengers or 450kg in weight. Powered by an internal engine, the AirMule could operate in mountainous areas, woods and cities, travel up to 31 miles, and "help combatants reclaim an essential edge by enabling precise point to point logistic support".
Until now, however, the craft has not been seen flying on camera. Meanwhile similar ideas, such as the Ehang 184 autonomous personal drone car, have been proposed -- though with a similar lack of proof as to their practical viability, and no regulatory approval.
But now the Israeli company behind the Air Mule appears to have made a breakthrough. On its website, the company reports that the craft successfully made its first untethered autonomous flight, at the Megiddo airfield in northern Israel, just before the end of 2015, following months of delays.
The flight was made after Tactical Robotics received permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to fly, following installation of new equipment, safety features and upgrades. "We initiated and carried out a rigorous examination process with the Israeli CAA in order to get authorisation for untethered flight testing," it said.
Tactical Robotics will now complete further tests, including a "beyond line of sight" flight. "All in all, we expect that in 2016 we will finally be able to demonstrate some of AirMule's unique capabilities," the company said in a statement.