As was mentioned in the last newsletter, the Switchblade flew last November and flew very well! The overall aerodynamics, flying qualities, slow speed handling, take off characteristics, landing ease, and more were just what we had hoped for. We did not meet our speed goals during the flight, however. And we have seen an interest in carrying larger loads. So to get into production with the vehicle people really want, we needed:
- Thrust and drag improvements to the ducted fan propulsion system to allow attainment of our speed goals
- A bigger wing to allow more useful load and lower landing speeds
Last newsletter we discussed the advancements in the bigger wing, more cargo, and lower landing speeds. This newsletter will highlight improvements made in thrust increases/drag reductions. We are also celebrating coming up with advanced solutions that are panning out to not only handle the issues we set out to handle, but in a fashion that improves the overall product in very meaningful ways! Let’s dig in!
Thrust and drag improvements
We had already begun looking into ways to increase thrust with our existing rear ducted fan. Even with the beginnings of our high-speed taxi testing it was evident that the duct was not giving us the performance that we specified for the design.
The month of December and into January was devoted to exploring different ways to get the needed thrust for the vehicle. This work gave us two different paths, which we reviewed in depth to choose the most viable method to attain the goal of a high-performance vehicle in both modes.
In order to establish a predictable path forward, during the course of the last few months we have communicated with Airbus and many others who have developed advanced ducted fan propulsion units for the aviation industry. After extensive engineering work, this path has yielded fantastic results, and we are getting ready to prototype this new propulsion system and then test it on the ground before placing it on the existing prototype for further flight testing. So far the results are very good, confirmed by our in-house aero engineering team! We see no reason why we should not attain our anticipated cruise speed goals, even with the higher weight allowed by the bigger wing. Some of the engineering solution work is shown in the image below. The programs being used can predict the airflow through the duct shown in this image, to the extent that you can see how the stator (fixed blades) takes the swirl out of the rotating propellers. MV Aero did an amazing job on the ducted fan design.
There may be some new patent options, so we will wait until we have decided which portions of this we may apply for patent before showing much publicly. But I will brag just a little, as the team came up with what we feel is an extraordinary solution, and we have added the initials EJ after Switchblade to differentiate between the original design (a stunner in many people’s eyes) and the final design going into production which improves on the already good looks but makes it sleeker, sexier, and with the look of a small jet. The Switchblade EJ (Electric Jet) retains the swinging wing and overall layout of the original design, with a much-simplified tail that we figured out how to make completely disappear in ground mode. There is no part of the wings, tail, or propellers that are visible in ground mode. We are completely stealth in this regard.
We have a lower roof line, wider cabin, hugely reduced drag, and have signed an LOI (Letter Of Intent) with an electric motor maker for the generator portion of the hybrid electric drive system. We are on the way to production, and the train has left the station!
This is Huge
This is almost as much of an announcement as when we first announced the Switchblade back in the day! But we are no longer at the beginning of a long development path. We are going into production with many aspects now known and tested. We have the potential to test the new equipment and wing shapes on our existing flying prototype. This is still just Production Engineering, and we are making the most of that to bring the best product we can.
And Includes Legislation
Our legislation work is proving out as well, with the latest being that the Arizona Senate just passed the Jetson Bill, and it is now on the way to the House for review there, thanks to bill sponsor Senator Farnsworth and many enthusiastic colleagues in the Arizona Senate.
Minnesota held hearings this month in both the Senate and House to review their version of the Jetson Bill for which both Samson and PAL-V gave testimony in support of. Clearly, momentum is gaining in many forward-looking states to welcome this new form of transportation and help it to blossom.
The Celebration is Huge Too!
Samson has made a tradition of including our followers in celebrating big milestones. We have recently authorized our Lead Investor group to meet with qualified Accredited Investors who will take us to the next level as a business. This is a multi-month-long process due to the size of the funding required. Some of that can happen faster, and a limited number of Accredited Investors who come in early will get a discount on stock pricing from the current round under a SAFE agreement (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) to guarantee that.
This is the Jetsons Meets James Bond
And Investors Are Welcome
As mentioned, Samson has opened a new Regulation D 506 (c) Bridge Funding round for Accredited Investors. There is a limited number of shares available at a lower pricing of this round, and if you are an Accredited Investor you may inquire for more details at: samsonsky.com/investors
A definition of an Accredited Investor can be found at: Accredited Investor Definition
So whether you are an original Jetson or a unique James Bond, the world awaits. Your high-performance flying car Electric Jet is ready. It is time to start a new and better chapter in humanity.
This new video is our best ever!!!
Sam Bousfield
Captain, Switchblade Team