MIT_ionic_wind_plane
MIT EAD Airframe Version 2
Type of aircraft
The EAD Airframe Version 2, or V2, is a small American unmanned aircraft. It has been described as 'solid state', as there are no moving parts in the propulsion system; all thrust is powered by the phenomenon known as ion wind.[1] It is being developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics by engineer Steven Barrett (associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics) and others.[1][2]
It is claimed to be the first ion-propelled airplane.[3][1] Tethered ion-propelled aircraft without wings have existed since the 1960s.[4][5] These had ground-based high-voltage power supplied to the aircraft via a wire.