The Tactical Robotics Cormorant, formerly AirMule or Mule, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) codename Pereira (shapiyriyt; שפירית‎ Shafririt: Dragonfly),[1] is a flying car unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) built by Tactical Robotics Ltd., a subsidiary of designer Rafi Yoeli's Urban Aeronautics Ltd., in Yavne, Israel.

[2] It will be used in search and rescue operations where it is too dangerous or inaccessible for a helicopter, such as evacuating people from the upper stories of burning buildings, or delivering and extracting police and soldiers while very close to structures, narrow streets, or through holes into confined spaces.

After the 2006 Lebanon War, the IDF realized that it needed a special vehicle that could fly unmanned behind enemy lines to rescue its wounded.

While a helicopter is the best evacuation vehicle as of 2020, it requires an area clear of trees or electricity columns to land without obstructing the rotor.

[3][4] The advantages of a ducted fan propelled unmanned air vehicle are that it could offer the same abilities as helicopters, but with fewer, less serious operating limits.

It could navigate in and out of creeks, city streets, next to big buildings, compact alleyways, and refugee camp warrens, while shielded rotor blades make it tougher than a regular helicopter.

Cormorant could deliver supplies or cargo, evacuate up to two casualties from a battlefield and transfer them to a field deployed hospital for medical treatment.

[7] Tactical Robotics Ltd. (TRL), as a subsidiary of Urban Aeronautics Ltd., has an exclusive license for use predominantly in the unmanned military and homeland security markets.

Metro Skyways Ltd. (MSL), as a subsidiary of Urban Aeronautics Ltd., has an exclusive license for use predominantly in the manned civil Air-Taxi and Air-Rescue and MedEvac markets.

[24] On June 30, 2011, it was revealed that a variant the AirMule will be equipped with a remotely operated robotic arm to undertake tasks that pose a danger to humans.

[14] In September 2011, the IDF had identified an operational requirement for an unmanned VTOL platform to be used to perform resupply and medical evacuation tasks from the front line.

[31] On February 25, 2014, it was announced that Green Hills Software real-time operating system (RTOS) had been chosen by Urban Aeronautics.

The fuselage structure and design of the engine’s exhaust pipe reduce its noise, heat, and radar signatures, including an appropriate flight profile.

[23] For increasing or decreasing overall lift, the angle of attack for all blades is collectively altered by equal amounts at the same time resulting in ascents, or descents.

The VCS is powered by a dual redundant hydraulic system which will allow for uninterrupted rotor pitch control in the event of a failure to one of the pressure supply lines.

[35] Due to the absence of a rotor, hence autorotation, Fancraft will be equipped with a ballistically deployed parachute to be used in cases of catastrophic engine failure.

[30] A Controp D-Stamp stabilized electro-optical sensor, provided as part of the auto-land system, will enable the aircraft to guide itself to land over any high contrast marker (flare, flag, a red cloth) in a combat zone.

Certification by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been a prime consideration in every aspect of Fancraft.

[34] Equipped with remotely controlled manipulator arms it can be used for inspections, maintenance operations or repairs, flying above dangerous zones such as nuclear reactors and areas contaminated by chemical plant leaks.

[1][25] Urban Aeronautics is in contact with the United States Army and the militaries of other nations, including India and Italy, for possible sale of the Cormorant.