A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) may be uniquely capable of VTOL via a folded wing design while also configured for powered flight as the wings are extended. In a powered flight regime with wings extended, the VTOL UAS may maintain controlled powered flight as a twin pusher canard design. In a zero airspeed (or near zero airspeed) nose up attitude in a VTOL flight regime with the wings folded, the unmanned aircraft system may maintain controlled flight using main engine thrust as well as vectored thrust as a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. An airborne transition from VTOL flight regime to powered flight and vice versa may allow the VTOL UAS continuous controlled flight in each regime.