The Manta Ray from Challenger Aerospace Group is a Hybrid powered Tri-copter/glider/ UAV/Drone: The Manta Ray, like its namesake, can move swiftly from vertical takeoff , hover to smooth transition into forward flight, the Manta Rays unique design allows its wing morphing into a powered glider type UAV/drone giving the aircraft greater flexibility and distances.
From a stand still take off to high-speed flight, the Manta Ray combines the perks of a Tri copter’s manoeuvrability with the flight distance and speed of a fixed wing UAS.
Source: Website
Nice Animation, but no real video. Hope they actually produce it. I own Birds Eye View Aerobatics Firefly 6 Hybrids. They are available now and have been flying for two years.
Not to say the Manta is not going to be nice, but I can see some issues with cross wind or ANY wind when in the VTOL multi-rotor mode. That large a wing set vertical becomes a sail. Don’t believe me, invest $140 in Parrott Drones little X Wing system. A cross wind makes landing far more challenging. Yes, with good software it can ascertain the wind direction and turn into it, and cheat the wing forward some to gain stability but even then, it is at the mercy of the wind. Light and Variable is one thing, but 10 knots gusting to 15 is something altogether different.