Marines to test autonomous cargo aircraft
The US Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) has selected Yates Electrospace Corporation’s (YEC’s) Silent Arrow autonomous cargo aircraft to take part in a 12 month flight test programme, the company announced on 13 November.
The contract will see YEC build and fly ten Silent Arrow UAS for evaluation by the MCWL. The lab will assess the aircraft’s capacity to autonomously deliver 700lbs of supplies and cargo to any location within 150ft of target by a single-use, low-cost, disposable glider aircraft.
The aircraft will weigh between 500 and 1,000lbs, and will be launched from fixed and rotary wing aircraft, such as the C-130, MV-22 and CH-53, at altitudes of 10-25,000ft, achieving a glide ratio of between 8:1 and 15:1.
According to the company, the aircraft’s potential to help lower current resupply costs and to not compromise operations of the recipients will also be evaluated by the MCWL.
Chip Yates, CEO, YEC, said: ‘By removing the electric powertrain from our Silent Arrow product line, we will meet all performance requirements at unprecedented unit costs for such a capable air delivery asset.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![The shift away from Chinese drone technology presents supplier opportunities]()
The shift away from Chinese drone technology presents supplier opportunities
As countries increasingly move away from Chinese drone manufacturing and focus on domestic production and collaboration, Europe and the US are well-placed to step in – although cost remains a crucial consideration.
-
![What’s next for the Pentagon after the Replicator programme?]()
What’s next for the Pentagon after the Replicator programme?
Although the Replicator initiative has made several accomplishments, there are still multiple gaps to plug across the US Department of Defense (DoD) and its services.
-
![Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)]()
Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)
Cummings Aerospace presented its turbojet-powered Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025, offering a man-portable solution aligned with the US Army’s LASSO requirements.
-
![SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale]()
SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale
PDW has revealed its Attritable Multirotor First Person View drone at SOF Week 2025, offering special operations forces a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from Ukraine.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions]()
SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions
Teledyne FLIR is highlighting the emerging requirements for 'recoverable and re-usable' loitering munitions across the contemporary operating environment during this week’s SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America]()
SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America
High-performance maritime industry player Kraken Technology Group, based in the UK, has used the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida this week to debut its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the North American market.
