MORPHING the giant C-130 Hercules cargo plane into a helicopter is the latest bright idea for solving a headache for the US military – how to carry large loads over great distances in planes that can land on primitive airstrips.
The hybrid plane is the brainchild of ex-Vietnam war helicopter pilot David Groen of Groen Brothers Aviation in Salt Lake City. And, if it’s ever built, the plane should be able to carry about 20 tonnes of cargo over distances of up to 1000 kilometres. During take-off and landing the rotors will be powered by jet engines inside aerodynamic housings at…
