The result is a remarkably clean, teardrop-shaped fuselage – nearly indistinguishable from a pure jet drone in cruise – enabling efficient high-speed flight while retaining full VTOL capability.

But despite its potential to change warfare forever, the world’s first VTOL jet transport was grounded before it could serve.

A Delta flight clipped an empty jet's wing in Atlanta, delaying its trip to Guatemala. Passengers reboarded safely on a second plane.

A Delta Airlines plane traveling to Guatemala Sunday clipped the wing of an empty jet Sunday morning at Atlanta’s airport, the airline said in a statement.

A Delta flight clipped an empty jet's wing in Atlanta, delaying its trip to Guatemala. Passengers reboarded safely on a second plane.

A Delta Air Lines plane traveling to Guatemala clipped the wing of an empty jet Sunday morning in Atlanta, the airline said in a statement.