China tests vertical takeoff drone resembling US Navy's 'Gimbal' UFO

Chinese researchers at Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics have successfully tested a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone whose design closely resembles the spindle-shaped UFO recorded by the US Navy in the 2015 "Gimbal" incident. This experimental drone features an elliptical, closed-loop wing with a straight central section and vertical stabilizers, diverging from traditional quadcopter or fixed-wing designs. Four rotors mounted at wing junctions enable vertical lift and stability during transitions to forward flight. The hybrid design aims to combine the hovering and landing flexibility of multirotor drones with the range and efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft, addressing a longstanding trade-off in UAV performance. Test flights and simulations demonstrated that the drone’s elliptical wing generates more than twice the lift slope of conventional straight wings, allowing stable flight at low speeds and high angles of attack. The aircraft is modular, capable of carrying various payloads such as sensors, supply pods, and emergency equipment, making it suitable for military surveillance, maritime reconnaissance