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Imagine working in a skyscraper, where you can see over all the other buildings in your city. It’s a beautiful view; you’re almost at eye level with the clouds, and you can watch cars the size of ants bustling around the streets.
But what if a fire starts on a lower level?
The local fire department has the better-than-average response time (less than 5 minutes), but rescuing someone on the upper floors takes time—the best firefighters average one minute per story. If you’re at the top of a high-rise, it could take them up to half an hour to get to you!
Or, with the right technology, they could get to you much faster—this is the drive behind Israel’s innovative rescue efforts.
Israeli technology to the rescue
It’s not just science fiction that inspires Israel to design concepts for flying cars. In a country that finds itself on constant alert around its borders due to potential terrorist attacks, rescue missions are quite common.
And with over 90% of the Israeli population living in urban environments, they need more than helicopters and fire trucks to keep the people safe.
Flying cars, such as the Urban Aeronautics X-Hawk, might be better described as flying ‘ambulances,’ because they were designed with rescue missions in mind. Despite the advantages helicopters have over traditional ambulances, their size and design also make them impractical for many urban rescue missions:
- The rotor blades of a helicopter make it impossible to get too close to a building.
- Helicopters need a lot of space to land, which isn’t always available in situations where there’s rubble or debris from earthquakes or explosions.
- Some flying car designs such as the Cormorant are remotely operated and can deliver supplies quickly to soldiers or survivors without putting any pilots in danger.
Going rotorless to save lives
The flying cars in Israel are rotorless by design, which enables more flexibility and precision for rescue missions. The rotorless design allows for vertical takeoff and landing. As a result, they can squeeze between buildings or hover right next to them.
Take the hypothetical example above—firefighters would be able to rescue you from any story in the skyscraper in minutes…
- A rotorless flying vehicle could also squeeze into a canyon or trench to rescue people trapped inside. This would be invaluable for rescue missions in areas that have been hit by an earthquake.
- A rotorless flying vehicle can easily and precisely deliver supplies to soldiers who are trapped in a tight space while fighting fires, or it can be used to extract them safely.
- As technology improves, the flying cars developed in Israel could become faster, cheaper, and more maneuverable than helicopters… maybe even replace them entirely.
Right now, these flying cars do exist—but feasible models for rescue missions are still in development. The US military is working with the IDF, and companies around the world, to explore the possibility and feasibility of adding flying cars to its arsenal, and Israel is a likely future partner.
One of the most recent designs, the X-Hawk, had completed nearly a dozen hover tests when it reached heights of up to three meters (approximately 10 feet) with a licensed pilot inside.
The company that designed X-Hawk is hoping to partner directly with the U.S. Government and provide this state-of-the-art rescue technology for our troops!
What does this mean for the future of cars in America?
Don't be in a hurry to get rid of your car! While the U.S. military, and some American companies such as Uber, are actively researching and developing flying cars, it’s unlikely that the flying cars developed will replace the vehicles we currently drive.
The world where everyone flies cars to work, church, and the grocery store will still exist in our imaginations for now, and likely for many years to come.
Instead, we can look forward to a safer America—where even more of our heroes can come home.
This technology will enable our first responders to reach people in need faster and more effectively than ever before. Firefighters will be empowered to save even more lives, while also putting themselves in less danger.
Israeli companies are eager to partner with our military for research, funding, and mass production. That kind of partnership will more than likely create more jobs in both countries for engineers, manufacturers, and workers!
The sky is the limit for success with Israel
The alliance between Israel and the United States has benefited both countries in many ways, and our continued partnership will benefit the world by creating opportunity and spreading democracy…
- Israel played a significant role in providing intelligence and access to Soviet technology during the Cold War, which helped us stay ahead in the arms race. Read more about how Israel continues to help keep terrorism at bay by clicking here.
- More recently, Israel sharing its lessons from the battlefield using American tanks helped the US better equip its tanks used in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan. Check out how they help keep our tankers safe by clicking here.
- Israel’s continued economic development has brought unprecedented wealth and opportunity to the Middle East. As Israel continues to make strides toward a lasting peace with its neighbors, and “Silicon Wadi” propels Israel into the global market, a new chapter is unfolding in the Middle East with Israel leading the way. Read more by clicking here.
Israel’s military technology often inspires the development of all sorts of innovative and green technology. Flying cars might not be taking over our commute to work—but more importantly, they will lead to more successful rescue missions and save lives.
And that’s not all. Israeli military technology tends to inspire the technology of the future. The challenges that the Israeli Defense Forces faces in keeping its soldiers safe in the desert has led to countless practical applications for civilians as well.
For example, the technology that once powered submarines might make its way into commercial trucks, to reduce fuel cost and emissions! Find out more about how Israel’s military technology is a pathway to a greener future by clicking here!