While the invention of flight control computers, electronic speed controllers and lighter lithium polymer batteries has lead to the rise of multirotor aircraft, it is not the most efficient design for flight. While multirotors are versatile because they can take off and land vertically, they don’t do well at flying long distances. Enter the V-Bat from Martin UAV. This aircraft can take off and land vertically using a single ducted motor with a propeller. And once it’s in the air, it can fly long distances very efficiently thanks to its fixed wing.
This combination called VTOL (which stands for “vertical take off and landing”) is considered to be the most efficient way for an aircraft to cover long distances without needing a long runway for takeoff and landing.
http://www.popsci.com/new-drone-takes-off-vertically-flies-like-plane
