The X-Plane has similarities with the military's V-22 Osprey, which can takeoff and land like a helicopter and fly like an airplane, but the big difference this time is there's no pilot onboard. It would be flown remotely, much like the military's Predator and Global Hawk unmanned aerial systems.

It's a potential game changer for pilots and soldiers alike, moving drone aircraft away from just being used for surveillance and targeting.

A common problem for wounded soldiers is trying to keep a medevac helicopter safe from enemy fire, but with the VTOL X-Plane, that risk would be greatly reduced.

Instead, since there'd be no danger to a pilot, the X-Plane could be used in more diverse missions, like transporting troops, rescuing wounded soldiers during medical evacuations, dropping off supplies, and special operations, a spokesman for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency told Tech Insider.