DARPA is making science fiction a reality. It seems every other day there's some kind of news of the agency bringing some fantasy we have one step closer to the real world. Their latest: a shape shifting, cargo carrying UAV. Transformer?

DARPA, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, has been developing these prototype vehicles since 2009 through its Transformer (TX) program/

"Many missions require dedicated vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) assets, but most ground units don't have their own helicopters," Ashish Bagai, DARPA program manager, said in a press statement. "ARES would make organic and versatile VTOL capability available to many more individual units. Our goal is to provide flexible, terrain-independent transportation that avoids ground-based threats, in turn supporting expedited, cost-effective operations and improving the likelihood of mission success."

The Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES) concept was settled as the program's winning design and basis for future Transformer platforms. The unique modular design will allow it to perform a wide variety of roles required.

A pair of ducted fans will provide vertical lift and convert to provide forward thrust, allowing the ARES to lift up to 3,000 pounds of cargo and land in spots half the size of traditional helicopter landing pads.

[DARPA]