Abstract: An apparatus that includes a rotor blade assembly capable of generating vertical lift, one or more propulsion units capable of engaging and disengaging from the rotor blade assembly, an encapsulating housing, and where the encapsulating housing is capable of containing the rotor blade assembly.

Abstract: An electrically-powered vehicle having a combination automobile frame and trailer, which are driven by a pair of electric motors located on the automobile frame. A battery is also located on the automobile frame, and a generator, along with a gas turbine for driving the generator, are located on the trailer. The vehicle can be operated with the trailer attached and the electric motors powered by a parallel combination of the battery and generator, or with the trailer removed and the motors powered by the battery alone. A controller turns on the gas turbine when the charge level in the battery drops below a first predetermined level and turns off the turbine when the charge level rises above a second predetermined level. Additionally, when the gas turbine is operating, its speed is maintained at a constant level, thereby maximizing its operating efficiency and yielding a minimum level of exhaust pollution.