UAV Manufacturer Transforms the L300 Hummingbird into a UAV

UAV Manufacturer Apieron has teamed up with Vertical Aviation Technologies to transform an L300 Hummingbird helicopter into a fully autonomous vehicle. The design was shown off as part of Hummingbird’s display at the 2025 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida.

The L300 is a four-seat amateur-build helicopter that builds on the design and rotor system of the FAA-certified S-52. It already supports a relatively high payload, with a maximum gross weight of 2,850 pounds and a useful load of 1,000 pounds.

Apieron’s work aims to take this already proven design and boost its operational capabilities by making it an unmanned and uncrewed vehicle. This altered helicopter, the MQ-52 Guardian, has an increased useful load of 1,500 pounds and utilizes Apieron’s NeuroHawk AI control system.

“It is a fully autonomous vehicle, and that’s the defined primary purpose,” explained Dan Franco, Chief Operating Officer of Aperion. “Although, it has the capability for you to control it manually.”

The project is specifically designed for high-payload operations across civil, commercial, and defense sectors. Three engines were evaluated for the job, including the LS7, Lycoming IO-540, and most recently a diesel Deltahawk power plant. These options bring fairly impressive performance, with a max airspeed of 110mph and a 950 feet per minute rate of climb. The helicopter also can fly for around 400 miles and 3.5 hours between stops.

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