For anybody who actually designs airplanes ... (Score 1)

For anybody here who actually designs airplanes for real companies ... Always interested in innovation and good design. This V-STAR dealy looks very interesting. My "gold standard" is Jane's Defence Weekly, which is taking it serously. Most of the hacker-blogger comments here are fun but I'm not convinced a guy who looked at "RPVs" over a quarter-century ago or a guy who's former company couldnt solve joined-wing problems are the best standard. The company's own propoganda is at www.frontlineaersopace.com ... some interesting stuff for those of us who want to study first then shoot our mouth off later ... They say upfront their a new company, but it looks like there are some stellar folks involved. Another blog says the design came from a retired Boeing Technical Fellow. No slouch, guys. If that's true, it's the real deal. The CW article says it's in testing with Naval Research Labs. If that's true, what do they know that we don't? When I look at the info, its clear they are designing for a very specific purpose. This is not about delivering refrigerators to generals who want cold beers. It's about getting critical, low-volume combat supplies to gusy on the frontline (aha, that's why they call themselves Frontline Aerospace), and right now that means a whole convoys of slow trucks or Humvees (aha, that's why humvee of the air) that risk IEDs ... crew capture ... getting there too late ... which as all much more expensive. Frankly, I don't think this thing will every fly. But not because it's a bad design. It's because it's so damn expensive and corrupt to compete in the Defense market. If you have any actual interest in this instead of blog fame, do a google and there's lots of stuff from the respected aviation sources that take it seriously. Even Aviation Week liked the design althoguh they seem to have some kind of bone to pick with the guy who started the company.