Xeriant, Inc., a new aerospace technology holding company, announced that an additional utility patent has been issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office related to its Halo aircraft technology, strengthening its October 2019 patent. Both utility patents are retroactive to Halo's original 2007 continuation patent application date, and therefore have the benefit of preceding numerous drone or UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) patent filings and claims.

Halo is a development-stage eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) powered lift aircraft that has been designed to seamlessly transition from vertical to forward flight by altering the direction of its propulsive thrust by approximately 90 degrees. Powered lift aircraft combine the VTOL capability and small logistical footprint of helicopters with the cruise speed, fuel efficiency and range of conventional fixed wing airplanes. Halo's unique and scalable tiltwing configuration, which features a pivoting cylindrical wing structure and a central axle-mounted payload area, can also accommodate a range of propulsion systems, including ducted lift fans and distributed electric rotors, as well as various stability and control systems.

When fully developed, Xeriant plans to introduce the innovative Halo platform as a small high-performance UAV for commercial applications such as inspections, surveying, surveillance, delivery and imagery, which is expected to compete favorably with other eVTOL UAV aircraft in terms of speed, acoustics, payload, maneuverability, efficiency, range and safety. Depending on the success of the small UAV model, Xeriant may begin to develop a larger scale Halo aircraft model for the emerging UAM (urban air mobility) market or a variant for military applications. UAM, which is part of advanced air mobility, refers to on-demand passenger or cargo transport in congested environments.

Halo was chosen to be a finalist presenter, out of approximately 70 companies, at the November 2019 Florida Aerospace Capital Forum.

"UAVs represent one of the most dynamic growth sectors in aerospace, with applications expanding into almost every industry. Empowered by innovation, these new aerial vehicles promise to make aviation a greater part of our daily lives. The additional patent protection on the Halo technology supports our efforts to establish a strong position in this space," stated Xeriant CEO, Keith Duffy.