Dornier Aerodyne
Dornier GmbH · Germany · first flew 1972 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Dornier Aerodyne was a radical unmanned VTOL research vehicle that generated lift through an annular duct and directed jets rather than wings or rotors.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | cylindrical fuselage with annular lift duct rather than wings |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- cylindrical fuselage with annular lift duct rather than wings
- no conventional wings or rotors
- ducted-fan VTOL concept
The Aerodyne has no wings and no rotors — it is a cylinder with a large annular intake collar and jet-deflection nozzles. Nothing else in aviation looks quite like it: the shape is closer to a science-fiction concept than a conventional aircraft.
Specifications
- The Dornier Aerodyne has a length of 3.2 m (10 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 1.5 m (5 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 100 km/h (62 mph).
- Typical crew: 0.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Dornier developed the Aerodyne in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a proof-of-concept for ductless VTOL flight using vectored thrust from a single turbojet. The vehicle used a large annular duct around the fuselage and jet deflection vanes to achieve vertical takeoff and controlled flight. It flew tethered and free in 1972 but never progressed beyond the research stage.
Variants
A single research prototype was built. The concept was studied for potential military reconnaissance applications but no operational version was developed.
Where you'll see it
Research only, operated by Dornier and German federal research agencies in the early 1970s. The programme concluded without a production follow-on.
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