U.S. Military May Adopt Hoverbikes, Star Wars-style
ANNAPOLIS, Md., June 24 (UPI) — While the U.S. military may not be allying themselves with Ewoks, they could soon be zooming around on Star Wars-style hoverbikes.
Hoverbike engineers at U.K.-based Malloy Aeronautics say they’ve reached a deal with the Maryland-based manufacturer (and longtime government contractor) Survice and the U.S. Department of Defense to develop the technology for military purposes.
“I am pleased to join with SURVICE Engineering and Malloy Aeronautics to announce their partnership on the Hoverbike, which represents a new frontier in aviation,” Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford said at the Paris Air Show earlier this month. “We are also very excited to welcome Malloy and look forward to working with them to grow their operations in Maryland.”
The hoverbikes utilize the rotor technology that powers helicopters, but promises a safer, low-atitude ride.
“We combined the simplicity of a motorbike and the freedom of a helicopter to create the world’s first flying motorcycle,” Malloy engineers explain on the bike’s homepage.
The craft is reminiscent of the machines Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia raced about the forest moon of Endor on in the film Return of the Jedi.
Malloy Aeronautics first funded the technologies development via KickStarter. The company is now seeking another $1.1 million in donations on their website.
