USN contracts PteroDynamics to deliver VTOL cargo aircraft
PteroDynamics’ VTOL UAS design. (Photo: PteroDynamics.)
The US Naval Air Warfare Centre Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) has contracted Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft developer PteroDynamics to deliver three VTOL prototypes for the Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS (BWUAS) programme.
PteroDynamics’ CEO Matthew Graczyk said the company was honoured to have been selected, adding: ‘This contract is the start of an important partnership, and we look forward to delivering the prototypes to NAWCAD.’
The BWUAS programme stems from the Military Sealift Command and Fleet Forces Command, in 2018, identifying a requirement for the USN to develop an autonomous UAS cargo delivery capability.
At the time, analysis found that 90% of ‘critical repair cargo’ delivered at sea via rotorcraft weighed less than 22.6kg.
NAWCAD Blue Water project lead Bill Macchione said: ‘Using unmanned, autonomous aircraft for delivery of these critical payloads is an important capability for the Navy to have,
‘The innovative design of PteroDynamics offers significant potential for both military and civilian missions.’
Val Petrov, PteroDynamics’ founder and CTO, said the company’s design was well-suited for shipborne operations ‘where windy conditions and tight spaces challenge other VTOL aircraft during take-offs and landings’.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS (BWUAS) [USA]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability moves ahead with development contracts
The Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme is a transnational effort across NATO to replace a range of helicopters which are expected to begin retiring from the mid-2030s.
-
Raytheon strikes deal with new rocket motor maker to secure supply chain
Raytheon has seen increased demand for its missiles in the face of the Russia-Ukraine war where Kyiv has been using air-to-air missiles for ground-based air-defence.
-
European Common Radar System Mk2 begins ground-testing in UK
BAE Systems hopes to work out any issues before the radar is sent for flight testing.
-
Boeing to upgrade software for KC-46A tanker
The KC-46A upgrades will improve the platform’s mission readiness, performance in challenged airspace and rapid deployment capabilities.
-
Teledyne FLIR promotes ITAR-free Star SAFIRE imaging payload at FIA
The Ultraforce 380-HDc, launched at Farnborough International Airshow, builds on Teledyne FLIR’s successful Star SAFIRE family of systems and is aimed at both the military and security markets.
-
Dutch and Austrian governments collaborate on Embraer C-390 acquisition at Farnborough
The two nations will split the acquisition of the C-390s to boost their airlift capacities.