NASA is testing a scaled-down electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft known as RAVEN SWFT to refine flight control systems for future air taxis.

By NASA

At NASA’s Langley Research Center, researchers are conducting both wind-tunnel and free-flight experiments with the 38-pound, six-foot wingspan aircraft that includes 24 independently moving control components. This approach allows for rapid, real-world data collection and software refinement in under five minutes.

Notably, NASA publishes this previously closed data, including behaviour under failure scenarios—such as an engine shutting down—so that all developers can benefit from insights into automated and autonomous flight.